KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Efforts to airlift the bodies of those killed in yesterday’s helicopter crash has been affected after rainfall and snowfall at Suketar.

Yesterday, the helicopter crash in Taplejung district claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari.

The AS350B helicopter of Air Dynasty was returning to Kathmandu after a visit to Pathibhara Temple in Aathrai rural municipality of Terhathum district when it crashed in the Sisnekhola area at around 1:30 PM.

Yesterday, four bodies were brought to Suketar, while three others were brought to Suketar early morning today, according to SP Sanjay Singh Thapa. “We will send the bodies to Kathmandu as soon as the weather clears,” Thapa said.  

The government has declared today declared a public holiday to mourn those deceased. The cabinet meeting has also decided that the national flag will fly at half-mast in all government offices. The deceased minister will be cremated with state honours.

The government has also formed a four-member probe commission led by former Secretary Yagya Prasad Gautam to investigate into the fatal crash of the helicopter and submit a report along with recommendations.

Other members of the commission are Brigadier General of Nepal Army Dipak Prasad Bastola, retired Colonel Pramod Lama and Joint-secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane. 
 

 
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