Tragedy Strikes as Plane Crash Near Kathmandu Claims 18 Lives
A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday when a plane crashed shortly after taking off from Nepal’s capital, resulting in the deaths of 18 people. The sole survivor was the pilot, who sustained injuries but is not in critical danger.
All aboard the Saurya Airlines flight were Nepali, except for one Yemeni passenger, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Authorities have since recovered all 18 bodies from the wreckage, police official Basanta Rajauri confirmed.
The ill-fated Bombardier CRJ 200 plane was en route to Pokhara, Nepal’s second-most populous city, for maintenance. Most of the passengers were either mechanics or airline employees, as revealed by airport officials who preferred to remain anonymous due to restrictions on speaking to the press.
The pilot, now receiving treatment at Kathmandu Medical College Hospital, has injuries to his eyes but is expected to recover fully. The attending doctor also chose to remain anonymous.
The plane took off from Kathmandu airport at 11:11 a.m. local time, but barely moments later, it crashed in the eastern section of the airport. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying. Ram Kumar Khatri Chetri, who owns a car parts store near the crash site, recounted, “I came out and saw a plane had crashed. There was huge smoke and fire. It was just horrible, and there was no way anyone could go near the plane to help because of the fire and explosions.”
While it is currently monsoon season in Kathmandu, the tragic incident occurred when it was not raining. However, visibility was notably low across the capital at the time.
Kathmandu’s main airport, situated in a valley and surrounded by mountains, presents unique challenges for pilots during takeoffs and landings. The airport is closely bordered by residential areas, adding to the complexity of the situation.
The bodies have been transported to T.U. Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu for autopsy. The airline’s manifest listed two pilots and 17 passengers on board. Grieving relatives have gathered at the hospital, though the bodies are not expected to be released for another day or two.
Among the deceased was co-pilot Sasant Katuwal, who had been flying for just three years following his training in France. His uncle, Dhyan Bahadur Khadka, shared that Sasant had recently received a visa for further training in Germany and had a promising future ahead. “His parents are devastated by the loss of their only child,” Khadka said, describing Sasant as not only tall and handsome but also well-behaved and dedicated to his career.
Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal’s main hub for international and domestic flights, was closed for several hours following the crash as emergency crews and investigators commenced their work. Saurya Airlines, which operates the Bombardier CRJ 200 on domestic routes, is now under scrutiny.
This incident follows previous tragedies at Tribhuvan International Airport. In 2019, a Bangladeshi airliner crash killed 51 people, with an investigation revealing that the plane was misaligned with the runway. In 2015, a Turkish Airlines jet skidded off a runway in dense fog, though fortunately, there were no serious injuries among the 238 passengers.
As Nepal grapples with yet another aviation disaster, the nation mourns the lives lost and hopes for swift improvements in air travel safety.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
