KATHMANDU: A cabinet meeting held at PM's official residence at Baluwatar this evening, following the tragic chopper accident in Taplejung district, has announced public holiday tomorrow.

In a press meet, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa said, educational institutions, government offices and foreign missions abroad will remain closed on Thursday. Also, the home minister said, "The national flag will be hoisted at half-staff to mourn the departed souls."

The fatal accident, which occurred around 1:30 pm, claimed seven lives including Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari.

Thapa further said that a four-member probe panel-led by Agya Prasad Gautam has been formed to investigate the incident.

Meanwhile, Chairpersons of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the country has lost a dependable youth leader while expressing grief over the incident, in a press statement.

READ ALSO:

• Seven including Tourism Minister Adhikari killed in Air Dynasty helicopter crash

• Condolences pour in following chopper crash that killed Tourism Minister and six others