Kathmandu, August 8 — A tragic helicopter crash in Nepal claimed the lives of five people, including four Chinese tourists and a pilot. The Air Dynasty helicopter was en route to Sayabrubesi from the capital, Kathmandu, when it crashed in the Nuwakot district, north of the capital.

According to a press release from Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority, the helicopter lost contact just three minutes after takeoff. The crash site was later identified in a forested area on a hillside in Nuwakot. The news was confirmed by Reuters.

In response to the incident, another helicopter was dispatched immediately to carry out rescue operations. Nepal Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki confirmed that all five occupants, including the pilot, died in the crash. The bodies were recovered from the accident site.

Nuwakot District Officer Ramakrishna Adhikari stated that the exact cause of the crash remains unknown at this time.

This tragedy follows a recent plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on July 24, which resulted in the deaths of 18 of the 19 passengers on board. The pilot was the sole survivor of that incident. This marks the second major air accident in Nepal within a span of two weeks.

Nepal, a country surrounded by mountains, is notorious for its challenging air travel conditions. The region has a history of fatal plane and helicopter accidents, often attributed to poor maintenance and inadequate training systems.