KATHMANDU: The preparations are underway to bring the bodies of those killed in the Air Dynasty chopper crash on Wednesday. All the seven bodies including that of Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari’s are being airlifted to Kathmandu, said Nepal Army.

Seven people including Tourism Minister Adhikari were killed in the chopper crash that occurred in Pathibhara area in Taplejung district when they were flying back to Kathmandu. Four bodies out of seven had been brought to Suketar airport yesterday while the remaining four three bodies were brought to Suketar this morning.

However, the task of airlifting bodies to Kathmandu has been hit due to bad weather. Chief District Officer Anuj Bhandari said the bodies will be airlifted to Kathmandu as soon as the weather clears.

The accident took place when Adhikari along with six others flew toward Pathibhara of Taplejung after carrying out a feasibility study of the proposed airport in Chuhandanda of Tehrathum district.

Adhikari to be conferred state honor

Meanwhile, the government has decided to confer state honor on Tourism Minister Adhikari. A cabinet meeting held in Baluwatar on Wednesday evening took a decision to this effect.

All the educational institutes, government offices and diplomatic missions will remain closed while the national flag will be lowered half-mast to mourn the death of those killed in the Air Dynasty chopper crash.