Airplane crash in Nepal: 18 dead when Saurya Airlines plane crashes during takeoff in Kathmandu

A private airline plane bound for Pokhara crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). 18 of the 19 people on board were killed.

Also read: LIVE updates on Nepal plane crash

The pilot of the Saurya Airlines plane survived the crash and was taken to hospital, officials said. The crash occurred when the plane veered off the runway and burst into flames.

Footage from the scene showed dramatic scenes of the plane racing down the runway before a fire broke out, sending high flames erupt and thick black smoke rising from the wreckage.

According to sources, at least 19 people, including flight crew, were on board the private Saurya Airlines plane that crashed at around 11 am.

The Kathmandu Post The newspaper reported that 18 bodies were recovered from the crash site. “The accident occurred after the Pokhara-bound flight skidded off the runway during takeoff,” said TIA spokesman Subash Jha.

The Himalayan Times newspaper reported that only technical staff of the airline were on board the plane. “There were no passengers on board, but the plane was carrying only a few technical staff,” said Gyanendra Bhul, TIA spokesperson.

The pilot of the plane has been taken to a hospital, a security official posted at the airport told PTI, without giving further details. A fire that broke out in the plane has been extinguished, he added. Police and firefighters are conducting rescue operations at the accident site.

Authorities closed the TIA after the plane crash. MyRepublic The news portal reported that dozens of international and domestic flights were affected by the airport closure.