Nepal has a troubling history with aviation safety, experiencing numerous fatal accidents involving small planes and helicopters over the years.
KATHMANDU: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 24th, 2024) A passenger plane crashed during takeoff in Kathmandu on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic death of all 18 passengers aboard, while the pilot was rescued from the burning wreckage and is currently receiving medical treatment, according to police in Nepal's capital.
Nepal has a troubling history with aviation safety, experiencing numerous fatal accidents involving small planes and helicopters over the years.
The ill-fated Saurya Airlines flight was carrying two crew members and 17 employees of the airline, stated Nepali police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki.
"The pilot has been rescued and is being treated," Karki said, adding, "Eighteen bodies have been recovered, including one foreign national. The process of transporting them for post-mortem examinations is underway."
Gyanendra Bhul of Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority mentioned that the flight was either for technical or maintenance purposes but did not provide additional details.
Both Karki and Bhul could not confirm the nationality of the sole foreigner aboard.
Photos shared by Nepal’s military displayed the plane’s fuselage split and charred. Approximately a dozen soldiers in camouflage were seen on the wreckage, with the surrounding ground covered in fire retardant.
The crash occurred around 11:15 am local time (0530 GMT), with the military noting that their quick response team was aiding in rescue efforts.
According to the news portal Khabarhub, the plane caught fire after skidding off the runway.
The flight was intended for Nepal’s busiest air route, between Kathmandu and Pokhara, a key tourist destination in the Himalayan region.
Saurya Airlines operates Bombardier CRJ 200 jets, as stated on its website.
Nepal’s aviation industry has grown rapidly in recent years, transporting goods and passengers to remote areas, as well as catering to foreign trekkers and climbers. However, the industry has struggled with safety issues due to inadequate training and maintenance, exacerbated by the country's challenging mountainous terrain.
The European Union has prohibited all Nepali carriers from its airspace due to safety concerns.
The Himalayan nation has some of the world's most difficult runways, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and requiring approaches that challenge even the most skilled pilots. Weather conditions can also change rapidly, making flying conditions hazardous.
Nepal's last major aviation disaster occurred in January 2023, when a Yeti Airlines flight crashed while landing in Pokhara, killing all 72 passengers. This was the deadliest accident since 1992, when a Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed near Kathmandu, killing all 167 on board. Earlier that year, a Thai Airways aircraft also crashed near the same airport, resulting in 113 fatalities.
