Nepal tourism minister, 5 other killed in chopper crash
Nepal's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Adhikari and five others were killed after their helicopter crashed on Wednesday in Taplejung district in the country.
Apart from Adhikari, the Air Dynasty helicopter was carrying Ang Tsering Sherpa, a prominent aviation and hospitality entrepreneur, and Yubaraj Dahal, personal aide to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, officials told local media.
The two other passengers were Birendra Prasad Shrestha, Deputy Director General of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and Arjun Kumar Ghimire. The helicopter was being flown by Captain Prabhakar KC, Inspector General of Nepal Police Sarbendra Khanal was quoted as saying by the Kathmandu Post.
Sherpa, managing director of Yeti Airlines, was the chairman of Air Dynasty.
Moments after the chopper was reported missing, local residents in Pathibara area informed the police about a huge flame at the crash site, the daily said.
“Our people are about to reach the site of the crash and we will know more then,” said Sarbendra Khanal, the Inspector General said.
(With inputs from agencies)
