A plane crash during takeoff in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, on Wednesday has resulted in 18 fatalities, as reported by local aviation authorities.
The Saurya Airlines flight, carrying 19 people, was on a test flight to Pokhara, a well-known mountaineering and tourist spot.
The passengers included 17 technical staff from Saurya Airlines and two crew members.
Videos online showed the aircraft engulfed in flames and smoke. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and there are concerns the death toll may rise.
Nepali police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki confirmed the casualties and mentioned that medics are treating an injured pilot.
Nepal has a poor air safety record; in January 2023, 72 people died in a Yeti Airlines crash caused by pilot error.
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains including Everest, frequently experiences air accidents due to sudden weather changes and remote, mountainous airstrips.
Aircraft with 19 seats or fewer are particularly prone to crashes under these conditions, according to a 2019 report by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Saurya Airlines’ website indicates they operate flights to five destinations in Nepal using three Bombardier CRJ-200 jets.
