Airplane crashes during takeoff in Nepal
A machine with 19 people on board takes off for a domestic flight from Kathmandu's capital airport in Nepal. But then it veers off the runway and crashes.
According to Nepalese state television, a machine with 19 people on board took off from the runway at Kathmandu's airport in Nepal and crashed. Five bodies have been recovered from the crash site at the International Airport in Kathmandu, according to preliminary information reported by local newspaper "Kathmandu Post". The pilot survived, according to sources at a local hospital. The condition of the other passengers on the plane is unclear.
The aircraft belonged to the Nepalese airline Saurya, according to state television. It was reportedly en route to Pokhara, a major tourist destination in Nepal. According to a police officer, it was a test flight. The news portal "Khabarhub" reported that the pilot had gone into a spin on the runway and then managed to put out the fire. Tribhuvan International Airport, the main airport for international and domestic flights in Nepal, was closed. Emergency services were in operation.
Photos from the army at the crash site showed that the plane's body was broken apart and only the frame remained. Local media showed photos of smoke rising. Debris was scattered over a ditch. The fire was brought under control.
The aviation industry in Nepal has seen tremendous growth in recent years. However, due to inadequate training and maintenance, safety is inadequate. The European Union has banned all airlines in Nepal from operating in the EU due to safety concerns. Therefore, no planes from Nepal can take off or land in Europe.
The crash of the Nepalese airline Saurya's aircraft, with 19 passengers on board, has sparked international concern, as it occurred during a test flight at the International Airport in Nepal. The aviation authorities in various countries are closely monitoring the situation, given Nepal's history of safety concerns in the aviation industry.
