Nepal’s tourism minister, Rabindra Adhikari, has died in a helicopter crash in the country’s mountainous region of Tehrathum district on Wednesday.
Pratap Babu Tiwari, the spokesperson for Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, confirmed that all seven on board the helicopter have been killed in the crash.
The crash occurred when Adhikari’s team was returning to Kathmandu after offering worship at Pathibhara temple.
Moments after it was reported missing, local residents in the area informed the police about a huge flame at the crash site.
Chief district officer of Taplejung, Anuj Bhandari quoted the locals as saying they heard a loud bang followed by a sight of smoke and fire in the area.
It has been learnt that the 49-year-old minister along with other officials had planned to visit Pathibhara Temple and then fly to Panchthar to observe the under-construction airport at Chuhan Danda.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Minister has summoned an emergency cabinet meeting at the official residence of the Prime Minister in Baluwatar.
