Viewer discretion advised: Everest helicopter collision kills Indian tourist

An Everest helicopter collision has left an Indian tourist dead after two aircraft struck while preparing to land at Pheriche in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district on Tuesday, 3 November, Joburg Etc reports.

The collision happened at approximately 08:11 local time, when the rotor blades of the two helicopters made contact near the helipad. The aircraft belonged to Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty and were registered as 9N-AJR and 9N-AOD respectively, according to the Civil Aviation Authority information reported by The Kathmandu Post.

The deceased was identified as Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu, an Indian national from Chennai. New Zealand citizen Shailesh Krishna Patel and a helicopter pilot were also reported injured. However, casualty figures have differed across reports, with OnlineKhabar reporting three injured, including both pilots, while the Associated Press reported two.

Indian Embassy responds to fatal collision

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has expressed its condolences following the death of the Indian national.

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu expresses its deepest condolences on the unfortunate demise of an Indian national in an incident involving collision between two helicopters in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal today.

The Embassy is working in close coordination with Nepali authorities for early repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased.

@MEAIndia

IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) November 3, 2026

In a statement shared on Tuesday, the Embassy said: ‘The Embassy of India in Kathmandu expresses its deepest condolences on the unfortunate demise of an Indian national in an incident involving collision between two helicopters in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal today.’

The Embassy also confirmed that it was working in close coordination with Nepali authorities following the incident.

Investigation into the helicopter collision

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Preliminary reports have pointed to possible miscommunication between the pilots as the aircraft approached the landing area.

According to The Kathmandu Post, Nepal Civil Aviation Authority director-general Mukesh Dangol said the landing area falls outside the coverage of Lukla Airport’s air traffic control tower, meaning pilots are required to coordinate directly with one another.

Pheriche sits approximately 4 200 metres above sea level and serves as an important stopping point for people travelling towards Everest Base Camp. As the Associated Press explains, helicopters are essential in the region, where there are no roads connecting much of the Everest trekking route and aircraft are used to evacuate trekkers and guides requiring medical assistance.

Video disclaimer: Viewer discretion is advised. The footage contains scenes of a serious aviation accident and may be distressing to some viewers.

TWO HELICOPTERS COLLIDE NEAR EVEREST BASE CAMP; ONE FOREIGNER KILLED

Scary footage this morning.

Two helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty collided while attempting to land at Pheriche in Nepal’s Everest region

One foreign passenger was killed and another person injured. The crash occurred around 8:15 AM (local time)

The cause is under investigation.

Subodh Kumar (@kumarsubodh_) November 3, 2026

The statement was shared by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu (@IndiaInNepal), which also confirmed that it was working closely with Nepali authorities to arrange the early repatriation of the deceased Indian national’s remains.

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