At least 18 people were tragically killed and one survivor was left critically injured after a Saurya Airlines plane crashed during takeoff at Kathmandu Airport on July 24, 2024.
The incident occurred around 11:00 am local time when the plane, which was headed for technical maintenance to Pokhara, skidded off the runway and caught fire. The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time.
According to reports from various sources, including Nepali police spokesman Dan Bahadur Karki and airport officials, there were 19 people on board the plane at the time of the incident. All but one were sadly pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The survivor, who is currently receiving treatment in a local hospital, is reportedly in stable condition.
This tragic event marks yet another unfortunate incident for Nepal's aviation industry, which has long been criticized for its poor safety record. The country's mountainous terrain and unpredictable weather conditions pose significant challenges to air travel.
In recent years, Nepal has seen several high-profile plane crashes, including the Yeti Airlines crash in January 2023 that killed all 72 people on board and the Tara Air flight crash in May 2018 that claimed the lives of 15 passengers and crew members.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has launched an investigation into the cause of this latest tragedy. In a statement, they urged all parties to refrain from speculation until the facts have been established.
Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those who were tragically lost in this incident.
