Wild escape! Nepal officials flee capital Kathmandu by clinging to emergency helicopter – video goes viral

On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, videos went viral on social media showing Nepal government officials escaping from Kathmandu using army helicopters. The videos showed officials holding onto helicopter ropes while being airlifted as angry protestors tried to catch and attack them, reports say.

The Nepali Army used helicopters to rescue government officials who were holding onto helicopter ropes while protestors tried to grab and attack them during the violent protests. On Social media some praised the army for saving lives, while others criticized the officials.

Nepal officials escape by helicopter

A user named @SGnepal said on social media, ““Ways to save life…” in response to the helicopter rescue video. Another user, @iamharunkhan, wrote, “This is how corrupt officials of Nepal hurriedly fled the country by hanging from an emergency helicopter.”, as stated by Mint.

Many local residents and other social media users captured images and videos of helicopters rescuing officials from violent protestors. By far, at least 19 people have died and more than 500 people were injured in nearby areas of the Federal Parliament and in Kathmandu, as per reports.

Social media ban triggers protests in Nepal

The protests began after the Nepal government banned 26 social media sites, including Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, and YouTube, for not registering with Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. Although the social media ban was soon revoked, the protests continued and became violent, focusing on alleged government corruption, as per the report by Mint.

On 9 September 2025, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid the protests against corruption and the social media ban. Oli stated in his resignation letter: “I have resigned from the post of prime minister with effect from today... in order to take further steps towards a political solution and resolution of the problems,”

Protestors hunted government officials, attacked them, and set fire to government buildings and politicians’ homes. The Nepali Army took charge, conducting security and rescue operations across Kathmandu. After a 24-hour shutdown, Kathmandu airport reopened on Wednesday, as authorities gradually regained control of the protests, as per the report by Mint.

FAQs

Q1. Why did Nepal officials flee in helicopters?
Nepal government officials fled in army helicopters to escape violent protests in Kathmandu.

Q2. What caused the protests in Nepal on 10 September 2025?
The protests started after a social media ban and anger over government corruption.