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18 Dead in Nepal Plane Crash
In a heart-breaking incident, a plane crashed in Nepal (Kathmandu), resulting in the deaths of 18 people, with the pilot as the sole survivor. The Nepal plane crash occurred on Wednesday morning during a Saurya Airline test flight departing from Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal.
Flight to Pokhara Ends in Tragedy
According to the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, the plane crash in Nepal happened around 11 AM IST (05:30 GMT), just few minutes after the take-off from Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal.
The plane crash in Nepal today was en route to Pokhara, a Himalayan tourism hub, as a part of routine maintenance check.As per the recent information, the flight was carrying 17 employees of Saurya Airlines, including technical staff, and two crew members.
Cause of the Crash
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the flight has taken wrong direction just after the take-off. Airport chief Jagannath Niraula stated, “As soon as the plane took off, it turned right instead of turning left”. Currently the exact cause of the deviation is unclear, but the investigation into the Nepal plane crash had been started.
The aircraft was scheduled for a thorough inspection and repair to address any issues, but unfortunately, the plane crash occurred just before this maintenance was set to begin.
Rescue Efforts
The nearby residents said that they heard a loud noise, initially thinking it was a truck accident, but upon running toward the area, they discovered a plane crash. “We rushed to the crash site and saw that the plane had caught fire. As we were about to get closer, there was an explosion, so we ran away again.”
Nepal plane crash video showed the aircraft tilting above the runway before it crashed and caught fire. Rescue workers were seen going through the burned wreckage, with parts of the plane inside a cargo container.
Firefighters and ambulances were immediately dispatched after the crash. Despite this swift response, the fire left no chance to save any of the 17 passengers and crew members.
The Pilot’s Survival
The pilot survived the crash and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital for injuries to his eyes and forehead. Although the pilot was badly injured, police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki confirmed that his life is not in danger.
Aviation Safety in Nepal
This tragic incident has once again highlighted the safety concerns of Nepal’s aviation industry. Over the years, the industry had faced criticism for various issues, which includes unpredictable weather conditions and lax regulatory measures. This plane crash in Nepal signals an urgent need for improvements in Aviation safety standards.
If we talk about January 2023 incident, a Yeti Airlines plane crash in Nepal claimed the lives of around 72 people, and later the incident was covered with the pilot mistake that pilots accidentally cutting off power.
One of the deadliest plane crash in Nepal since 1992, when a Pakistan International Airlines flight crashed while approaching Kathmandu Airport, killing all 167 people on board.
There is a need for stronger regulatory body and its enforcement to ensure that airlines stick to rigorous safety standards and practices. These incidents also point to the urgent need for recheck in aviation safety to prevent future tragedies.
Nepal Plane Crash Overview:
Q1. What was the cause of the crash of the Surya Airline?
Ans1. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the flight veered off course immediately after take-off, turning right instead of left. The cause of this deviation is still under investigation. The aircraft was scheduled for maintenance, but the plane crash in Nepal occurred just before this was set to begin.
Q2. How many people died in Nepal plane crash?
Ans2. 18 people lost their lives in the Nepal plane crash, with the sole survivor being the pilot.
Q3. What compensation is being offered to the families of the Nepal plane crash victims?
Ans3. At present, the government has not announced the amount of compensation to be provided to the families of the Nepal plane crash victims.
