Plane Crash at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal Claims 18 Lives
Plane Crash at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal Claims 18 Lives A Saurya Airlines plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, killing 18 people onboard. The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 local time (05:30 GMT) during a routine maintenance check flight to Pokhara. According to the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft crashed just minutes after leaving the runway. Airport chief Jagannath Niraula stated that an initial assessment suggested the plane had flown in the wrong direction, turning right instead of left immediately after takeoff. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise before seeing the plane hit the ground and burst into flames. Footage of the incident showed the aircraft tilting above the runway before crashing. Among the victims were 17 Nepali nationals and one Yemeni engineer. The pilot survived with injuries to his eyes and forehead but is not in critical condition, according to police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki. The cause of the crash remains unclear. Saurya Airlines marketing head Mukesh Khanal noted that the plane was scheduled for a month-long maintenance period beginning the following day. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, with fire engines and ambulances rushing to the crash site. The airport temporarily closed but reopened within hours. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the tragic incident.