Tragic Plane Crash in Kathmandu: 18 Lives Lost

A domestic flight in Nepal faced a tragic accident on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, when a small plane veered off the runway during takeoff from Kathmandu.

The Saurya Airlines aircraft was carrying 19 people, and sadly, 18 of them lost their lives in the crash. The only survivor is the pilot, who was rescued and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The plane took off from Tribhuvan International Airport at around 11:11 AM local time, heading towards Pokhara International Airport. Moments after leaving the ground, the aircraft veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway.

Images from the scene showed smoke rising and wreckage strewn across a ditch. Fortunately, the fire caused by the crash has been controlled by emergency crews who rushed to the site immediately after the accident.

Kathmandu’s main airport was temporarily closed while authorities dealt with the aftermath of this unfortunate incident. It’s important to note that there was no rain at the time of the crash, but visibility was reported to be low in the capital.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal later confirmed that 17 passengers and one female crew member were among the deceased. Reports mention that there was also one foreigner on board.

As the news spread, mourners gathered at the Maharajgunj Medical Campus in Kathmandu to remember and pay respects to their loved ones.

This crash raises concerns about Nepal’s aviation safety, as the country has faced criticism over its air safety record over the years. Since the year 2000, nearly 350 individuals have lost their lives in plane or helicopter accidents in Nepal, according to various reports.