- A Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, killing 18 people.
- The plane, bound for Pokhara, carried 19 people, including two crew members and 17 technicians.
- Only the captain survived and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
At least 18 people were killed when a Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday, July 24.
Saurya Airlines crash: Here’s everything we know
According to reports, the incident occurred around 11 am as the plane, bound for Pokhara, attempted to leave the runway.
The Kathmandu Post reported that the aircraft carried 19 people, including two crew members and 17 technicians who were travelling to Pokhara to repair another aircraft.
Rescue operations commenced immediately, with police and firefighters working at the scene.
Visuals from the site showed firefighters battling a large blaze, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
Television footage also captured the plane flying just above the runway before it tilted and crashed, and later, rescue workers sifting through the charred wreckage in lush green fields.
Bodies were seen being carried to ambulances on stretchers while local residents watched in shock.
Premnath Thakur, a spokesperson for Tribhuvan International Airport, confirmed the details of the accident, and Tej Bahadur Poudyal, another spokesperson for the airport, stated that the captain was the sole survivor.
The captain has been transported to a hospital for treatment. Specific details about his condition were not disclosed by the officials.
Saurya Airlines operates domestic flights within Nepal using two Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jets, both of which are approximately 20 years old, according to Flight Radar 24.
The airline has faced criticism for its safety standards, as Nepal has a history of aviation accidents. Since 2000, nearly 350 people have died in plane or helicopter crashes in the Himalayan nation.
The challenging terrain, combined with variable weather conditions and inadequate infrastructure, has contributed to a series of fatal accidents over the years.
Despite efforts to improve safety protocols, the country’s aviation sector continues to grapple with significant challenges.
As rescue and investigation efforts continue, authorities are focused on determining the cause of the crash and ensuring that the bodies of the victims are respectfully handled and identified.
