Two helicopters collided Tuesday as they attempted to land near Mount Everest’s base camp, leaving at least one person dead and two others injured, officials said.
The aircraft had been carrying trekkers who were returning after hiking toward Everest base camp during Nepal’s peak trekking season.
Heavy snowfall had blanketed the trail before conditions improved Sunday, allowing thousands of trekkers to resume moving through the region.
With no roads on Mount Everest, helicopters provide the only practical way to evacuate trekkers and guides who fall ill or become exhausted at the high, freezing altitude.
The crash occurred in Pheriche village, located at an elevation of 13,780 feet.
Bhupendra Thapa, an official with the Solukhumbhu district administration, said a 47-year-old tourist from India died in the accident.
A passenger from New Zealand suffered injuries and was being flown to Kathmandu for medical care.
The Nepali pilot was also hurt but received treatment in the local area.
Officials had not yet determined how many people were aboard the two helicopters.
The trek to Mount Everest base camp typically takes up to two weeks, beginning at Lukla’s airstrip and ending at the camp, which sits at 17,380 feet.
The route draws large numbers of visitors during the autumn season, after the monsoon rains and before the severe winter weather arrives.
