A tragic plane crash in Nepal’s capital has left 18 people dead and one pilot injured. The lone survivor, the pilot, is being treated for injuries to his eyes but is expected to recover. The victims included 17 Nepali individuals and one Yemeni national on board the Saurya Airlines flight. Most of the passengers were mechanics or airline employees heading to Pokhara for maintenance work. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu airport, with witnesses reporting smoke and fire at the crash site.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal reported that the plane went down in the eastern section of the airport just moments after taking off, with onlookers describing chaos and confusion. Despite the crash occurring during the monsoon rain season, it was not raining at the time. Low visibility may have contributed to the accident, as the Kathmandu airport is challenging for pilots due to its location in a valley surrounded by mountains. The airport is also situated close to residential neighborhoods, complicating emergency response efforts.
The bodies of the victims have been taken to T.U. Teaching Hospital for autopsy, with grieving relatives gathering to identify and collect their loved ones. The co-pilot, Sasant Katuwal, had recently completed training in France and had a promising future in aviation. His family is mourning the loss of their only child, describing him as tall, handsome, and well-behaved. The Tribhuvan International Airport was temporarily closed following the crash as investigators began their work to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Saurya Airlines, which operates domestic routes in Nepal, has faced previous incidents, including a Bangladeshi airliner crash in 2019 that killed 51 people. Investigations revealed pilot error as a contributing factor in that crash. In 2015, a Turkish Airlines jet also encountered difficulties while landing at the airport due to dense fog, but fortunately, there were no serious injuries. The Nepali aviation industry continues to face challenges with terrain and weather conditions posing risks to flights in the region. Authorities are working to provide support to the families of the victims and ensure the safety of future air travel in the country.
