Copyright republicworld
Kathmandu: A rescue helicopter sent to pick up trekkers has crash-landed near Lobuche Mountain in Nepal's Mount Everest region, according to a senior police official.Deputy Superintendent of Police Manojit Kunwar, Chief of Solukhumbu District Police, said that the Altitude Air helicopter skidded while landing at a helipad in Lobuche at around 7:50 a.m.He confirmed that the pilot, who was the only person on board, was rescued and taken to Lukla Airport. The helicopter suffered partial damage to its tail and remains at the accident site.Lobuche Mountain, which has two peaks Lobuche East (6,119 meters) and Lobuche West (6,145 meters) — is popular among trekkers and climbers. It is often used for acclimatisation by mountaineers preparing to climb higher peaks, including Mt. Everest (8,848.86 meters), the tallest mountain in the world.October is one of Nepal’s busiest tourist seasons, and many trekkers travel through the Everest route to reach Lobuche. As of Tuesday evening, there were 210 trekkers at the Lobuche base camp, DSP Kunwar said.For the past few days, Nepali authorities have been alerting trekkers about difficult weather conditions caused by Cyclone Mountha from the Bay of Bengal. Snowfall has been reported in many high-altitude areas, increasing risks for residents and visitors. However, the weather was clear in the Everest region at the time of the accident, he added.Authorities have advised trekkers to remain careful when going outdoors in mountainous regions.Meanwhile, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast snowfall and rainfall in central and eastern Nepal from October 30 to November 1. Government agencies have requested the public to take precautions while traveling in high and hilly regions.The Nepal Tourism Board has also issued a notice urging all trekking and mountaineering groups, including domestic and foreign tourists, to be extremely cautious due to predicted adverse weather conditions.
