Five killed in Air Dynasty helicopter crash in Nuwakot
KATHMANDU: Five people were killed when an Air Dynasty helicopter crashed in Shivapuri Rural Municipality, Nuwakot district, this afternoon, according to police. The victims include four men and a woman.
Police identified the deceased as four Chinese nationals and a Nepali national, pilot Arun Malla, according to Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
The helicopter with the call sign 9 N-AJD departed from Nalinchowk in Bhaktapur district for Syaphrubeshi in Rasuwa district at 1:54 pm and crashed at 2:14 pm in Suryachaur (also known as Suirechaur) in Shivapuri forest, Shivapuri Rural Municipality-7, Nuwakot district.
The Armed Police Force (APF) stated that it mobilised a team for search and rescue operations at the incident site as soon as they were notified about the crash.
APF's DSP Shailendra Thapa reported that 66 security personnel were deployed at the incident site for search and rescue operations.
A private company's helicopter was flown to the site for the same purpose, according to CAAN.
(UPDATED)
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KATHMANDU: Five people were killed when an Air Dynasty helicopter crashed in Shivapuri Rural Municipality, Nuwakot district, this afternoon, according to police. The victims include four men and a woman.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Shantiraj Koirala of Nuwakot district reported that the helicopter crashed in Suryachaur (also known as Suirechaur) in the Shivapuri forest, Shivapuri Rural Municipality-7.
"Some security personnel and local residents have reached the incident site. They are dousing the fire in the helicopter," SP Koirala stated.
Earlier, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) General Manager Jagannath Niroula reported the helicopter crash.
Assistant Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Humagain of the Nuwakot District Administration Office (DAO) informed that locals alerted the police about the crash after noticing fire and smoke in the Shiapuri forest.
Further details of the incident are awaited.
