A passenger plane carrying 19 people crashed during takeoff at Kathmandu’s airport on Wednesday morning, prompting a response from fire crews to tackle the blaze from the wreckage.
The Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed around 11:15 am local time (0530 GMT), according to a statement from Nepal’s military.
“Rescue operations are underway,” the statement read, with the army’s quick response team assisting in the efforts.
Kathmandu airport general manager Jagannath Niroula confirmed to AFP that further details are still being verified.
The Kathmandu Post reported that the flight had 19 people on board, including the crew.
News portal Khabarhub noted that the plane caught fire after skidding off the runway and was emitting a substantial plume of smoke.
The aircraft was en route to Pokhara, a key tourist destination in Nepal.
Saurya Airlines operates exclusively with Bombardier CRJ 200 jets, according to their website.
Nepal’s aviation industry has expanded significantly in recent years, serving remote regions and international tourists. However, the sector has faced serious safety issues due to inadequate training and maintenance.
The European Union has banned all Nepali airlines from its airspace due to safety concerns.
Nepal’s challenging geography, including some of the world’s most difficult runways surrounded by snow-capped peaks, has exacerbated its aviation safety issues. The rapidly changing weather conditions in the mountainous region also pose significant risks for flying.
The most recent major aviation accident in Nepal occurred in January 2023, when a Yeti Airlines flight crashed while landing in Pokhara, killing all 72 people on board. This incident was the deadliest in Nepal since 1992, when a Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed while approaching Kathmandu, resulting in the deaths of all 167 passengers and crew. Earlier that year, a Thai Airways aircraft also crashed near Kathmandu, killing 113 people.
Authorities have not yet released the names of those involved in the latest crash.
**AFP**