After official local media reported today, Wednesday, that a plane carrying 19 people crashed during takeoff in Nepal, the police provided further details. The crash in Kathmandu on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 18 of the 19 individuals on board, according to police in the Nepalese capital, leaving the pilot as the sole survivor. Police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki stated that 18 bodies were found, one of which belonged to a foreigner, adding that they are in the process of transferring them to the morgue.
He further mentioned: "The pilot has been rescued and is receiving treatment." The spokesperson clarified that the flight operated by "Saurya Airlines" was carrying two crew members and 17 company employees on a test flight. The "Saurya" website indicates that it only operates Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft. It should be noted that the plane crashed around 11:15 AM local time (05:30 UTC), according to a statement from the army, which added that the army's rapid response team is assisting in the rescue efforts.
The flight was en route to Pokhara, a major tourist destination in the Himalayan nation. Images of the incident released by the Nepalese army showed the aircraft split and burning, with around ten soldiers standing over the wreckage as fire suppression materials covered the area. News site "Khabarhub" reported that a fire broke out in the plane after it veered off its path on the runway. Kathmandu airport in Nepal has announced the suspension of all services following the plane crash.
