KATHMANDU: An Altitude Air helicopter with seven passengers and crew aboard has gone missing near Rubi Valley in Dhading district since this morning.

The chopper took off from Samagaun to Kathmandu airlifting a patient.

According to Nima Nuru Sherpa, Managing Director at Altitude Air Pvt Ltd, an AS350B3e chopper piloted by senior captain Nischal KC went missing since 8:00 am. The chopper was supposed to land at 8:18 am in Kathmandu.

There were six passengers including a Japanese tourist and five Nepalis on board, he said. A rescue team has already been sent to locate the missing chopper. The fate of the passengers and crew was still unknown, according to Raj Kumar Chhetri, General Manager at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Further details of the incident are awaited.