Fatal Helicopter Crash Near Mount Everest Claims Lives of All Six Passengers

Tragedy struck as a helicopter carrying six individuals, which had earlier been reported missing near Mount Everest in Nepal, crashed on Tuesday. According to local authorities cited in a media report, there were no survivors.

The ill-fated helicopter, belonging to the Manang Air fleet, had departed for Kathmandu at 9:45 am and lost contact just 15 minutes later, as reported by The Kathmandu Post. The crash occurred in the Lamjura area of Solukhumbu district. Preliminary assessments by District Police Chief Dipak Shrestha suggest that adverse weather conditions may have played a role in the accident. However, a spokesperson from Manang Air stated that the helicopter had taken off in good weather, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

Among the victims were Captain Chet Bahadur Gurung and five Mexican nationals, whose identities have been confirmed by the police. Efforts are underway to airlift the remains to Kathmandu following necessary documentation procedures. The severity of the crash resulted in the fragmentation of the bodies, making it challenging to gather precise details, according to a district official from Solukhumbu.

Reports indicate that contact with the helicopter was lost when it reached the Lamjura pass, with only a brief "hello" message received via Viber. The aircraft, registered as 9N-AMV, had departed from Surki in Solukhumbu district, an area encompassing Mount Everest and other prominent mountains, en route to Kathmandu. Its last known location was tracked at 10:12 am in the Lamjura Pass region, as stated in The Kathmandu Post report.

WATCH: NEPAL HELICOPTER CRASH