A Saurya Airlines plane carrying 17 passengers and two crew members crashed shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 18 people. The aircraft caught fire upon impact, making rescue efforts challenging.
A plane belonging to Nepal’s Saurya Airlines crashed while taking off from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu on Wednesday. The crash resulted in the deaths of 18 people on board, with the only survivor being the captain, who is now in the hospital. Kathmandu airport was closed temporarily after the crash but reopened within hours, officials said.
The plane, a CRJ-200 with 50 seats, was heading to Pokhara for maintenance. Onboard were two crew members and 17 technicians. Among the passengers, one was an engineer from Yemen, while the rest were Nepali citizens.
Shortly after taking off, the plane veered to the right and crashed. The incident has highlighted Nepal’s poor air safety record. Since 2000, nearly 360 people have died in plane or helicopter crashes in the country.
Nepal’s Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, visited the crash site and urged people to remain patient. The government has called for an emergency meeting to investigate the incident.
Television footage showed firefighters battling thick black smoke as they tried to put out the fire. The airport was temporarily closed but reopened a few hours later. Saurya Airlines currently operates two CRJ-200 jets, which were originally made by Bombardier but are now owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Mitsubishi has stated they will cooperate fully with the investigation.
History Of Plane Crashes
Nepal is known for its challenging flight conditions due to its mountainous terrain. The country’s main airport is surrounded by mountains, making takeoffs and landings difficult. The deadliest crash in Nepal’s history occurred in 1992, when a Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed, killing 167 people. More recently, a Yeti Airlines crash in January 2023 resulted in 72 deaths.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the accident. The incident has sent shockwaves through the nation and prompted a swift response from emergency services.
