Six US Marines and two NA soldiers were onboard the helicopter.

Two UH-1Y Huey helicopters of the US Marines have started search operation from Wednesday morning while two V-22 Ospreys are preparing to join the search for the missing chopper.

The helicopter lost contact with Tribhuvan International Airport control tower at 3 pm when it vanished after delivering aid at Charikot in Dolakha district.

Nepal Army soldiers reached the ground in the vicinity of the chopper’s last known location on Tuesday night, searching for the missing aircraft but to no avail.

Spokesperson at the Home Ministry, Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, said that, despite several reports emerging, ministry cannot make any confirmation regarding the status of the missing chopper. “Various reports have emerged. Most of them cannot be confirmed,” Dhakal said, adding, “The search for the missing chopper is on.”

Five US Marine Corps aircraft—a UH-1Y Huey helicopter and four MV-22 Ospreys—are assisting the relief efforts in Nepal after the Great Quake of April 25.

The incident occured after a powerful 7.3 magnitude aftershock jolted the country on Tuesday.