Kathmandu: A 47-year-old Indian national was killed, and another passenger sustained injuries when two helicopters collided during landing procedures on Tuesday in Nepal's Solukhumbu district, law enforcement officials reported.

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The aircraft collided as both were attempting to touch down at Pheriche, located in Ward 4 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality within Solukhumbu district, according to an official statement issued by Nepal Police.

The two helicopters, operated respectively by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty, collided at approximately 8:11 a.m. local time, the District Police Office in Solukhumbu confirmed.

Police Inspector Mausam Tamang stated that the deceased was identified as Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramadu, an Indian citizen who was travelling on board the Fishtail Air helicopter.

Shailesh Krishna Patel, a 49-year-old New Zealand resident of Indian origin who was also travelling on the same aircraft, sustained injuries in the impact. He was subsequently evacuated to Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu via a Prabhu Helicopter flight for medical intervention, Tamang noted.

Nepalese aviators Rabindra Prajapati of Fishtail Air and Prajwal KC of Dynasty Air were also injured during the incident and have been transported to Kathmandu for specialised care.

Pheriche is situated along the primary trekking route leading to the Mount Everest Base Camp, positioned roughly 150 kilometres northeast of the capital, Kathmandu.

Police confirmed that the body of Balaramaramadu has been transferred to a medical facility in Lukla.

The precise number of individuals present aboard both helicopters at the moment of the crash remains to be officially confirmed. Law enforcement authorities noted that investigations are ongoing to gather comprehensive details surrounding the disaster.

PTI