accident - Airplane crashes during takeoff in Nepal - 18 fatalities
In the Himalayan country Nepal, according to police reports, 18 out of 19 people on board were killed in an aircraft accident involving a Saurya Airlines plane during takeoff at Kathmandu's International Airport. The captain was the only survivor, severely injured and taken to a hospital, as Dambar Bahadur BK, the leading policeman and head of airport security, informed the German Press Agency upon request.
The Saurya Airlines plane reportedly veered off the runway for a domestic flight to Pokhara due to an unknown cause. All 19 people on board were employees of Saurya Airlines, who were to be deployed for maintenance work on another aircraft in Pokhara, approximately half an hour away, according to BK. Photos showed a large smoke cloud at the accident site from a distance.
In Nepal, due to its mountainous terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions, as well as safety concerns, there are frequent aircraft accidents. The aviation oversight by the Nepalese aviation authorities is considered insufficient by the EU.
In January 2023, 72 people lost their lives in an aircraft accident - the Nepalese Yeti Airlines plane crashed during the landing approach to Pokhara. Pokhara is the starting point for numerous trekking tours in the Himalayas.
The aircraft accident in Kathmandu’s International Airport, resulting in 18 fatalities and leaving the captain severely injured, has once again highlighted the issue of frequent aircraft accidents in Nepal due to its challenging terrain and weather conditions. The German Press Agency received this information from Dambar Bahadur BK, the leading policeman and head of airport security.
The captain's survival in the Saurya Airlines aircraft accident is a rare instance in Nepal, where the high incidence of aircraft accidents often results in heavy casualties. The European Union has expressed concerns about the insufficient aviation oversight by the Nepalese authorities.
The investigation into the Saurya Airlines plane accident involving an unknown cause during takeoff for Pokhara is ongoing. BK, the policeman, mentioned that all 19 victims were employees of the airline, bound for maintenance work.
The German Press Agency reported on the accident at Pokhara's domestic airport, which is a destination for numerous trekking tours in the Himalayas. The accident site was marked by a large smoke cloud, as seen in photos.
The Nepalese aviation industry, already under scrutiny for safety concerns, has faced another tragedy with this incident, raising questions about the safety measures in place for air traffic operations.
