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Eighteen people have lost their lives after a plane crashed and burst into flames during takeoff from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, on Wednesday. The pilot, who is currently hospitalized, is the sole survivor of this tragic accident. The flight, operated by Saurya Airlines, had 19 people on board, including technical staff and two crew members.
The flight was headed to Pokhara for a routine maintenance check. According to airport chief Jagannath Niraula, the accident happened almost immediately after takeoff, though the exact cause remains unconfirmed. Preliminary assessments suggested that the plane veered in the wrong direction after takeoff. “It turned right when it should have turned left,” Mr. Niraula explained to BBC Nepali. The crash occurred around 11:15 a.m. local time.
Footage captured the plane tilting above the runway before crashing and erupting into flames. Rescue workers were seen navigating through the wreckage, with large sections of the aircraft charred and blackened. Some photos also showed parts of the plane inside an air freight container. Emergency services, including fire engines and ambulances, quickly responded to the scene.
