Nepal Helicopter Crash: 6 Dead Including Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari

UPDATE: 06.30 p.m. EST — Rabindra Adhikari and the other passengers were returning to Kathmandu after offering worship at a temple. An eyewitness said the chopper crashed a minute after it took off. There was snowfall in the area where the crash took place. Another eyewitness said all bodies were found and were burnt beyond recognition. Foreign Minister Pradeep K. Gyawali expressed his condolences.

Foreign Minister Hon. Pradeep K. Gyawali is deeply aggrieved by the news of helicopter crash involving Minister for Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation Hon. Rabindra Adhikari and other passengers onboard and has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased.
— MOFA of Nepal 🇳🇵 (@MofaNepal) February 27, 2019

Original story:

A helicopter carrying Nepal's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Adhikari crashed in Taplejung district Wednesday, killing all the six people on board. Police said five bodies have been recovered so far.

Apart from the minister, the helicopter was carrying Yubaraj Dahal, personal aide to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli; and Ang Tsering Sherpa, a prominent aviation and hospitality entrepreneur.

A helicopter carrying #Nepal Tourism Minister #RabindraAdhikari, six others crashes in Nepal’s Taplejung district today. Nepal police says five bodies have been recovered so far. pic.twitter.com/87udQuaSew
— DD News (@DDNewslive) February 27, 2019

A spokesperson of the Nepal tourism board said rescue teams are on the way, but will need two more hours to reach the location of the crash, E Turbo News reported.

Residents near the crash site saw huge flames and informed the police. The cause of the crash is not immediately known.

"Our people are about to reach the site of the crash and we will know more then," Inspector General Sarbendra Khanal said.