Tragedy Strikes: Nepalese Domestic Plane Crashes During Takeoff

A private Nepalese domestic plane bound for Pokhara crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport, killing 18 technical staff and injuring the pilot. The Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft veered off the runway and burst into flames. Authorities shut down the airport, affecting numerous flights.

A private Nepalese domestic plane bound for Pokhara crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of 18 technical staff and injuring the pilot of the aircraft, which was carrying 19 people in total.

The pilot of the Saurya Airlines plane survived the incident and has been transported to a hospital, officials reported. The crash occurred around 11 a.m. when the aircraft veered off the runway and erupted in flames.

Footage from the scene captured dramatic visuals of the plane speeding down the runway before a fire ignited, producing high flames and thick black smoke from the wreckage.

The Bombardier CRJ200 was only carrying airline technical staff, according to The Himalayan Times.

"There were no passengers on board but the plane was carrying a few technical staff members," stated Gyanendra Bhul, information officer at TIA.

The Kathmandu Post reported that 18 bodies have been recovered from the crash site. “The accident happened after the Pokhara-bound flight suffered a runway excursion during takeoff,” explained TIA Spokesperson Subash Jha.

The injured pilot has been taken to a hospital, a security official at the airport informed PTI without further details. The fire from the aircraft has been extinguished, with police and firefighters conducting rescue operations at the scene.

Authorities have shut down the TIA following the crash, as reported by the MyRepublica news portal. The airport closure has affected numerous international and domestic flights.