Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Pokhara Metropolitan Mayor Dhanraj Acharya were medevaced to Kathmandu for treatment following an accident while inaugurating the Pokhara Visit Year 2025 in Kaski on Saturday.

The incident occurred when hydrogen-filled balloons burst into flames during the event at the Exhibition Centre in Pokhara-9, Naya Bazaar. Finance Minister Paudel and Mayor Acharya, who were on stage at the time, sustained injuries.

According to Bhuwan KC, press adviser to the minister, Paudel suffered burns on his hand and face, while Mayor Acharya sustained more severe injuries. Acharya was first taken to Fishtail Hospital, while Paudel received primary treatment at Gandaki Hospital.

Both the injured were later flown to Kirtipur Burn Hospital in Kathmandu on Saturday afternoon on a Simrik Air helicopter for further treatment.

The explosion was reportedly triggered when an automatic switch sparked and ignited the hydrogen-filled balloons. The Pokhara Visit Year inauguration went on despite the incident.