A passenger plane crashed during takeoff in Kathmandu on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of all 18 people aboard, with the pilot being the sole survivor. The incident occurred at Tribhuvan International Airport, with the aircraft engulfed in flames upon impact.
The flight, operated by Saurya Airlines, was carrying two crew members and 17 of the airline’s staff. The pilot has been rescued and is receiving medical treatment. The bodies of the 18 victims, including one foreigner, have been recovered, with a post-mortem examination underway.
The plane was reportedly on a technical or maintenance flight, according to Gyanendra Bhul from Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority. The exact nationality of the foreign victim has not been confirmed.
Images from the scene showed the plane’s fuselage severely damaged and burnt, with soldiers and emergency personnel working at the site. The crash happened around 11:15 am local time, and initial reports suggest the plane caught fire after skidding on the runway. The aircraft was scheduled to fly on Nepal’s busy Kathmandu-Pokhara route.
Nepal’s aviation industry has struggled with safety issues, compounded by its challenging geography. The EU has banned Nepali carriers from its airspace due to safety concerns. The country has experienced several deadly crashes over the years, including a major incident in January 2023 and another in 1992.
