GLOBAL

Nepal plane carrying 68 people crashes near Pokhara airport, 40 dead


A Yeti Airlines aircraft flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara with 68 people on board, crashed in Pokhara of Kaski district on Sunday morning. The plane took off from Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:33 am. Sunday morning saw Nepal's worst crash in years when Yeti Aircraft carrying 68 passengers crashed into the gorge of River Seti just 1 and a half kilometres from Pokhara airport in Kaski District. The ATR 72 aircraft of Yeti Airlines had four crew, two pilots and two air hostesses aboard. The aircraft crashed between the old airport and the Pokhara International Airport. Government authorities have mobilised security personnel in rescue efforts at the incident site. At least 40 people died of which 6 were children and 15 were foreign nationals including 5 Indians.

Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has expressed sorrow over the plane crash in Pokhara and called an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers, directing intense rescue operations. Hundreds of Nepalese soldiers are involved in the operation at the crash site in the gorge of the Seti River, just one and a half kilometres from the airport. Rescue operations are ongoing, survivors are pulled out from the crash site.

Most Recent