All 8 on board crashed US military chopper dead: Nepal Army

All eight people on board a US Marines helicopter that crashed in Nepal, including six American Marines and two Nepalese soldiers, are dead, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Updated on: May 16, 2015, 10:18:07 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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The six American Marines and two Nepalese soldiers who were on board a US military helicopter that crashed in Nepal are dead, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

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"Eight bodies have been recovered. All bodies are not recognisable," said an update issued by the Nepal Army.

The Bell UH-1Y Huey helicopter involved in earthquake relief operations went missing on Tuesday afternoon, hours after a 7.3-magnitude temblor struck Nepal.

After an intensive land and aerial search, the helicopter's wreckage was located on Friday in a remote and rugged location near Ghorthali village, on the border between Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk districts.

Reports quoting Nepal government officials initially said three bodies were found near the crash site and that there was no likelihood of survivors, but the Nepal Army and US defense officials had not confirmed anything.

The helicopter that crashed was among three UH-1Y Huey helicopters and four V22 Ospreys sent by the US for rescue and relief operations in Nepal after the April 25 quake.

Eight Mi-17s and six Advanced Light Helicopters of the Indian Air Force and three Mi-17 helicopters from China are helping the Nepal Army in relief operations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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