Turkey offers condolences to Nepal over chopper crash

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey offered condolences to Nepal on Wednesday over a helicopter crash killing top Nepalese officials.

"We have received the news with deep sorrow that today the helicopter crash in Nepal caused loss of seven lives including H.E. Rabindra Adhikari, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation," Turkish Foreign Ministry said on website.

"We extend our sincere condolences to the people and Government of Nepal as well as to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the crash," it added.

A helicopter carrying top Nepalese officials crashed Wednesday in east Nepal, killing all seven on board, local media reported.

Nepalese Tourism Minister Adhikari along with five other officials and the pilot were killed in the crash near Sisne river in Pathibhara, Taplelung.

Locals reported to police a huge ball of flame at the crash site after the chopper went missing on its way from Pathibhara to the capital Kathmandu.

Local journalists told Anadolu Agency that the weather condition was poor in the area the minister was visiting.

Also aboard the chopper was Ang Tsering Sherpa, the managing director of Yeti Airlines, and the chairman of Air Dynasty, the owner of the ill-fated helicopter.