Government forms committee to investigate Manang Air helicopter crash

KATHMANDU: Following the tragic helicopter crash in Solukhumbu district on Tuesday, the government has taken swift action by establishing a committee to thoroughly investigate the incident.

During a meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, the Council of Ministers expressed deep condolences for the loss of lives in the crash and made the decision to form a committee to conduct a comprehensive probe.

The ill-fated helicopter, carrying a Nepali pilot and five Mexican nationals, crashed at Lamjura Pass in Likhupike rural municipality-5. The aircraft, registered under Manang Air with the call sign 9 NA-MV, departed from Surke in Solukhumbu earlier that morning, bound for Kathmandu. Unfortunately, it lost communication after 10:01 am and subsequently crashed.

The Investigation Committee, led by Buddisagar Lamichhane, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, has been entrusted with the task of investigating the incident. Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, will oversee the committee as well, serving as its spokesperson.

Minister Sharma shared, “The helicopter, carrying Mexican nationals and piloted by a Nepali, met with an accident. The Council of Ministers extends its heartfelt condolences to all the victims of this tragic incident and has formed an investigation committee to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding it.”