SECRETARY-GENERAL LEARNS WITH GREAT SORROW NEWS OF UN HELICOPTER CRASH IN NEPAL

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General has learned with great sorrow the news of a United Nations helicopter crash some 85 kilometres east of Kathmandu today.  According to latest information received, the helicopter was carrying seven UNMIN (United Nations Mission in Nepal) personnel and three crew.  The following statement was issued by UNMIN this evening Nepal time:

“At about 4 p.m. today, Nepal time, UNMIN lost contact with a Mission helicopter, which was returning to Kathmandu from the Maoist cantonment site at Sindhuli in the east of the country.  UNMIN has had contact with local authorities at Ramechhap district, who advise that a helicopter has crashed in the vicinity of the Bethan village, that the helicopter has been located and that there are fatalities.  UNMIN has sent a party by road to the site of the reported crash to confirm information.  UNMIN is not in a position at this time to provide any further information, but will provide regular updates as confirmed information is available.”

United Nations Headquarters is in close communications with UNMIN.  More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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For information media • not an official record