Team News Riveting
Kathmandu, July 24
A Saurya Airlines plane crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu while taking off for Pokhara on Wednesday morning reportedly killing 18 of the 19 persons on board.
The plane 9N-AME (CRJ 200) was only carrying technical staff of the airline, with no passengers on board. Gyanendra Bhul, information officer at TIA, confirmed that the plane was carrying a few technical staff members.
The aircraft took off to Pokhara for maintenance. Pokhra Regional Airport has a new hanger that is used for aircraft maintenance.
The plane crashed shortly after taking off from the runway, at around 11am, the officials said. Following the crash, dense smoke engulfed the entire area. Firefighters and security personnel, including Nepal Police and the Nepali Army, rushed to the crash site. They launched rescue operation.
The captain of the plane, 37-year-old Manish Shakya, was rescued from the wreckage and taken to KMC Hospital, Sinamangal for treatment, according to the police.
The remaining 18 persons on board were reportedly killed in the crash. Sources said the bodies had been recovered from the spot.
The Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has been closed following the crash of Saurya Airlines plane this morning, affecting dozens of flights.
The shutdown includes all outbound and inbound flights to TIA. Domestic flights have been stopped at various domestic airports, while international flights have been put on hold or diverted to other airports.
