On Wednesday, July 24th, a small plane crashed and caught fire shortly after taking off from the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, with 19 people on board. Officials in the country have reported that at least 18 individuals have died as a result of the accident.
Authorities stated that the aircraft was carrying 2 crew members and 17 technical staff members, heading to the city of Pokhara for maintenance checks, according to a report by Reuters. Arjun Chand Thakuri, the airport security supervisor, informed local media that the plane slid off the runway at Kathmandu airport and crashed into a field on the east side of the runway before catching fire.
Police and firefighters are currently conducting rescue operations at the scene of the accident, as shown on television screens capturing efforts to extinguish the flames sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. Rescue personnel are shown sifting through the charred wreckage scattered across the lush green fields.
A security officer stationed at the airport told the media that the pilot of the aircraft has been taken to the hospital, without revealing further details about their condition.
The aircraft belonged to Saurya Airlines, a domestic airline in Nepal. Real-time flight tracking application Flight Radar 24 shows that Saurya Airlines operates two Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft for domestic flights in Nepal, both of which are around 20 years old.
Nepal has faced criticism for its poor aviation safety record, with nearly 350 people having lost their lives in plane or helicopter crashes in the Himalayan region since 2000.
The deadliest incident occurred in 1992 when a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus crashed into a hillside near Kathmandu, resulting in the deaths of 167 individuals.
In January last year, Yeti Airlines Flight 691 crashed while landing at Pokhara International Airport, causing the deaths of all 72 people on board, including 4 crew members.