Surviving the pilot only, 18 people were killed after a plane crashed while it took off from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport this morning. The Saurya Airlines aircraft caught fire as soon as it crashed into an adjourning site of the Airport.
Sources said it was on a test ride to the popular tourist destination Pokra when the accident took place.
The pilot, who is currently receiving treatment in hospital, is the only survivor of the fatal accident.
Some 19 people were on the Saurya Airlines test flight, including technical staff members of the airline and two crew members.
Videos of the accident show the plane crashing and being enveloped in the fire. Rescue teams including Fire engines and ambulances reached soon after the incident and evacuated the Pilot reportedly sustained severe injuries. Captain Manish Rathna Shakya the survivor rescued from the crash site is receiving treatment at the KMC Hospital in Sinamangal for treatment, quoting Nepal Police The Kathmandu Post said.
According to a statement by the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority’s search and rescue coordination centre the plane “turned right and crashed on the east side of the runway”.
It further said that the fire was brought under control.
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