Padam Gaire/ Palpa

Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that the four Chinese citizens who died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday were looking for investment areas in Nepal.

Announcing the decision of the Council of Ministers at Singh Darbar on Thursday, Communication Minister Gurung said that the frequent accidents of ships and helicopters have not only affected the tourism sector but have also affected international investment. He said that the issue of policy reforms to solve the overall problem discussed in the Council of Ministers is also being discussed.

“Yesterday, the Chinese teams did not go for sightseeing, it seems that they went to observe the investment sector in some way,” he said, adding that foreign investment may also be affected. Where should foreigners go? It shows that our skies are not safe, our airlines, helicopters are not safe.

He said that what kind of policy arrangements should be made to solve the overall problem is being discussed. Where are the errors in the law? Regulator Santhya said that the issue of why the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority has not been able to regulate is also being discussed and legal reforms will be sought to solve the overall problem.

Frequent ship, helicopter crashes are termed as extraordinary events.

This is an extraordinary event. After the new government came, we have issued two condolence statements. Therefore, policy reforms should be made to make Nepalese skies safe and reliable,” he said.

On Wednesday, a helicopter flying to Syafrubesi in Rasuwa had an accident at Suryachaur, Shivpuri rural municipality ward number 7, Nuwakot. Five people were killed in the helicopter, including the pilot Arun Malla. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the four Chinese nationals who died were Tang Jutao, Wu Yiao, Li Jie and Sei Ziming.

The government has also formed a committee to investigate the helicopter accident. An inquiry commission has been formed under the coordination of Nepali Army senior pilot Subas Thapa. The members of the commission are Vishnu Basnet and Tanuja Pokharel. The commission has been given 30 days to submit the report.