Helicopter Crash in Nepal’s Shivapuri National Park Claims Five Lives
A tragic helicopter crash in Nepal’s Shivapuri National Park claimed the lives of all five people on board shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu on Wednesday. This incident marks yet another air tragedy in Nepal’s challenging mountainous terrain, adding to over a dozen similar crashes since 2000.
The helicopter, operated by Air Dynasty, crashed into the dense forest of Shivapuri National Park in Nuwakot district, located 57 kilometers (35 miles) from the capital, confirmed Deputy Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Humagain.
Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki reported that the victims included four Chinese nationals—three men and one woman—and the pilot, who was Nepali.
Local residents spotted a fire in the forest and promptly alerted authorities. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the helicopter lost contact with air traffic control just three minutes after takeoff, while en route to the Rasuwa district.
Nepal, nestled between India and China, is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks. The country’s challenging topography and remote airports have led to more than 360 fatalities in plane and helicopter crashes over the past 24 years.
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