Kathmandu: In a tragic incident, the missing helicopter belonging to Manang Air has been discovered crashed in the Lamjura pass area of Likhupike rural municipality-5 in the Solukhumbu district. The helicopter, with the call sign 9NA-MV, was en route to Kathmandu from Solukhumbu and had six passengers, including a pilot, on board when it disappeared at 10:01 am today.

Basanta Bhattarai, the Chief District Officer of Solukhumbu, confirmed that the helicopter was found in a crashed state, and initial reports suggest that it met with an accident at Lamjura pass. The crash site is situated on the border of Likhupike in Solukhumbu and Umakunda rural municipality in Ramechhap. So far, five bodies have been recovered from the scene of the incident.

To aid in the search efforts, a helicopter from Altitude Air in Kathmandu was deployed, and a team from the Nepal Police was dispatched from Solukhumbu. Raju Neupane, the Manager of Manang Air, disclosed that the five passengers on board were Mexican nationals.

This devastating event highlights the inherent risks associated with air travel, and our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the victims. The authorities will undoubtedly conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident to ascertain the circumstances leading to this tragic incident.