The helicopter crashed right after taking off, at around 1:30 p.m. local time (07:45 GMT), The Himalayan Times newspaper specified. All the people on board were killed. Deputy director general of the country's civil aviation authority and an under-secretary at the prime minister's office were among those travelling with the culture minister.
Two helicopters have been sent to the site of the incident. Bad weather hinders the recovery of the bodies, according to the media.
Nepalese authorities have summoned an emergency cabinet meeting.
Earlier in the day, The Himalayan Times reported that a helicopter carrying Nepal Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari disappeared from radars while flying over the east part of the country.
As locals in the area told the media outlet, they heard the sound of an explosion and saw clouds of smoke coming from what they think might be the site of the crash.
Helicopter carrying Nepal's tourism minister crashes at 1:30 at Taplejung. Here is list of 6 passengers & pilot. pic.twitter.com/xqOv445Qi9
— Ashok 𝖉𝖆𝖍𝖆𝖑 (@ashokpillar) February 27, 2019
The media outlet specified that the minister was travelling to a temple in the Taplejung district and was set to then travel to neighbouring Panchthar district to inspect a new airport.
Chopper carrying Minister Rabindra Adhikari crashes
— Aniruddha (@aniruddhapd) February 27, 2019
A helicopter carrying six persons including Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Adhikari has crashed in Pathibhara, Taplejung on Wednesday afternoon, according to officials at the Ministry of Home pic.twitter.com/v7eM8IbXpR
