- 14 dead after Nepal plane crashes during takeoff
- Onboard were 17 technical staff and two crew members, all part of a test flight
- The Saurya Airlines flight was headed to Pokhara
- Rescue operations are ongoing, with concerns that the death toll may rise
14 dead after Nepal plane crashes during takeoff
At least 14 people were killed when a plane crashed during takeoff in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday, officials reported. The Saurya Airlines flight, carrying 19 people, was headed to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination. Onboard were 17 technical staff and two crew members, all part of a test flight.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with concerns that the death toll may rise. Videos posted online show the plane engulfed in fire and smoke. Emergency responders, including fire engines and ambulances, were quickly dispatched to the scene.
Nepali police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki confirmed the deaths and mentioned that a pilot is being treated for injuries. Nepal’s air safety record has faced criticism, highlighted by a January 2023 crash involving Yeti Airlines that killed 72 people due to pilot error.
Saurya Airlines operates flights to five destinations within Nepal, using a fleet of three Bombardier CRJ-200 jets, according to their website.
