A tragic plane crash occurred shortly after takeoff from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, resulting in the deaths of 18 people. The sole survivor of the crash was the pilot, who is currently receiving medical treatment. The incident has once again highlighted the challenges and safety concerns associated with air travel in Nepal.
Key Highlights
- Fatalities: 18 people were killed in the crash.
- Survivor: The pilot is the lone survivor and is undergoing treatment.
- Aircraft: The plane was a Bombardier CRJ 200 operated by Saurya Airlines.
- Destination: The flight was headed to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination.
- Weather Conditions: It was not raining at the time, but visibility was low.
- Airport: Tribhuvan International Airport was temporarily closed following the crash.
The Incident
On Wednesday, a Saurya Airlines plane crashed shortly after taking off from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ 200, was en route to Pokhara. The crash occurred at approximately 11:11 a.m. local time. The plane veered off to the right and crashed in the eastern section of the airport, catching fire upon impact.
Casualties and Survivor
The crash claimed the lives of 18 people, including two crew members and 16 passengers, all of whom were Nepali nationals except for one Yemeni national.
The pilot, identified as Manish Shankya, was the only survivor. He sustained injuries to his eyes but is not in critical condition. He is currently being treated at Kathmandu Medical College Hospital.
Saurya Airlines 9N-AME crash@TIACAO2 Press Release - 2 pic.twitter.com/5LzBHpqhZI
— Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (@hello_CAANepal) July 24, 2024
Rescue and Emergency Response
Emergency responders, including police and firefighters, quickly arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire and carry out rescue operations.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to T.U. Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu for autopsy. The airport was temporarily closed to facilitate the emergency response but has since reopened.
VIDEO | Rescue operations are underway after Pokhara-bound Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during take off from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday morning. At least 19 people, including aircrew, were aboard. Many are feared dead. pic.twitter.com/QpLeDIyi2T
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2024
Eyewitness Accounts and Investigation
Eyewitnesses reported that the plane flipped after its wing-tip hit the ground during takeoff. The aircraft then caught fire and plunged into a gorge on the eastern side of the runway.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Initial reports suggest that the plane was scheduled for maintenance in Pokhara.
Kathmandu, Nepal | An eye-witness, Aadesh Lama says "I was working here at my garage in the morning and then I heard a loud sound. We thought a tyre burst but we came to know that a plane had crashed. It had knocked a container, if it wasn't the container then it surely would… https://t.co/Ui99Np1Apa pic.twitter.com/jjGwSz6ov9
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2024
Nepal’s Air Safety Record
Nepal has a history of air safety issues, exacerbated by challenging terrain and weather conditions. The country averages about one flight disaster per year. In recent years, several fatal crashes have occurred, including a Yeti Airlines crash in January 2023 that killed 72 people and a Tara Air crash in May 2022 that resulted in 22 fatalities.
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Previous Incidents at Tribhuvan International Airport
- 2019: A Bangladeshi airliner crashed, killing 51 people.
- 2015: A Turkish Airlines jet skidded off the runway in dense fog; no serious injuries were reported.
The tragic crash at Tribhuvan International Airport underscores the ongoing challenges and risks associated with air travel in Nepal. As investigations continue, the focus remains on improving safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
