Indian national killed, New Zealander injured in Mount Everest helicopter crash
A helicopter carrying tourists and one carrying cargo collide while attempting to land near Mount Everest's South Base Camp.
An Indian national is dead and a New Zealander injured after two helicopters collided in Nepal's Mount Everest region, officials have said.
The two helicopters collided while trying to land below Mount Everest's South Base Camp on Tuesday.
The aircraft were ferrying trekkers who had been hiking to the base camp during one of the busiest seasons for the hike.
Heavy snow had covered the route before the weather improved on Sunday and thousands of trekkers were able to move around.
A 47-year-old tourist from India was killed in the crash, according to officials from the Solukhumbu district.
A passenger from New Zealand was injured and was being transported to the capital, Kathmandu, for treatment. A Nepali pilot sustained injuries but was treated locally.
The helicopters were operated by two private firms, Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air.
Fishtail Air said in a statement that its helicopter was carrying passengers who had been rescued from the Everest region.
An official from Dynasty Air said its helicopter was carrying only cargo
The helicopters crashed at Pheriche village, which sits at 4,200 metres above sea level.
The Indian national and the New Zealander on board were both tourists, according to a spokesperson for Fishtail.
There are no roads on Mount Everest, and helicopters are the only way to bring trekkers and guides who cannot make the downward journey.
The Mount Everest base camp trek lasts up to two weeks and goes from the only airstrip in the area.
