Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari killed in Helicopter crash; Government declares national mourning day

Kathmandu / Feb 27: A private helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff on Wednesday in Taplejung, killing seven people on board, including Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Adhikari. The accident was the second chopper accident in recent years involving high-profile individuals in the eastern mountain district.

Along with Adhikari, the crash claimed the lives of prominent tourism entrepreneur Ang Tshiring Sherpa, managing director of Yeti Airlines and the chairman of Air Dynasty, Birendra Prasad Shrestha, deputy director general of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Dhurba Bhochhibhoya, deputy director of CAAN, Yubaraj Dahal, A personal aide to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Arjun Kumar Ghimire, a Nepal Army official.

The Air Dynasty helicopter was being flown by Captain Prabhakar KC.

Although the reason behind the crash remains unclear, initial reports show that the pilot had entered a cloud and lost control of the chopper before crashing into a cliff, locally known as Sisne Bhir. “It burst into flames a minute after it took off from Pathibhara Devi temple,” said Pratap Babu Tiwari, spokesperson of Tribhuvan International Airport.

Photographs from the crash scene show that the chopper descended from the Pathibhara Devi temple and hit a cliff a few feet below. The crash site has been located at around 10,000 feet. The temple, which is considered one of the most significant shrines for Hindus, sits at an elevation of 12,448 feet.

According to Tiwari, at 12:44 pm on Wednesday, the captain reported heavy snowfall in the area to the Taplejung Airport tower. “Heavy snowfall. Not able to airborne,” the pilot was reported as saying. Airport officials said the area had a strong wind during the afternoon and it was blanketed by thick clouds. The Kathmandu airport was informed about the crash at 1:30 pm.

Government declares national mourning day on Thursday, announces public holiday

Meanwhile, the government has declared Thursday as a national mourning day to pay tribute to those killed in a chopper crash that took place in Pathibhara, Taplejung on Wednesday.

An emergency meeting of the Cabinet held on Wednesday made the decision to this effect after seven persons including Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari lost their lives in the chopper crash at Sisne of Fungling Municipality-10 this afternoon.

The government has decided to declare public holiday tomorrow.

The meeting has also decided to fly the national flag at half-mast in all government offices, educational institutions and Nepali missions abroad.

The government has also decided to perform the last rites of Minister Adhikari with state honour.