In shocking news from Nepal’s Kathmandu, a Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during takeoff at the Tribhuvan International Airport at around 11 am. There were 19 people onboard including the crew of the Pokhara-bound plane that met with a fatal accident. Police and firefighters have rushed to the location to carry out rescue operations.
Smoke Billows From Tribhuvan International Airport In Nepal
X (formerly Twitter) is rife with videos and photos of this unfortunate aviation accident that took place around 11 am on Wednesday. In one of the videos posted by Amarnath Kumar, an aviator, smoke can be seen billowing from the runway of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Tribhuvan International Airport is Nepal’s only international airport. It’s located 16 km from the main city. Owing to the runways located at high altitudes, Nepal averages about one flight disaster a year.
Saurya Airlines aircraft crashes during takeoff in Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. 19 people were aboard the Pokhara-bound plane. #Nepal #SauryaAirlines #planecrash pic.twitter.com/FgASpiHiIN
— Aviator Amarnath Kumar (@aviatoramarnath) July 24, 2024
About 18 People Died; Rescue Operations Continue
In the videos shared on X, firefighters are seen tending to the accident as smoke envelopes the airport. Locals are heard screaming with concern as they film videos of the flight crash.
Saurya Airlines aircraft crashes during takeoff in Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu#kathmandu #planecrash pic.twitter.com/juwdeKsNJs
— rajni singh (@imrajni_singh) July 24, 2024
In fortunate news that comes from Kathmandu, 18 people died in the Saurya Airlines flight crash. As per a Reuters report, Chief Arjun Chand Thakuri stated that the plane was ferrying 17 technicians and two crew members to Pokhara city to carry out maintenance checks. The flight skidded off the runway during takeoff.
The Nepal army is carrying out rescue operations. Pilot Manish Shankya was rescued and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses stated to The Kathmandu Post that the plane’s wing-tip hit the ground and this caused it to flip. It immediately caught fire and descended into a gorge on the eastern part of the runway. The local Saurya Airlines operates domestic flights in the nation.
May the souls of the departed, rest in peace.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
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