At least 18 people were killed when a Saurya Airlines plane crashed and caught fire during takeoff from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday. The sole survivor, the pilot, is currently in hospital. The plane, carrying 19 people including technical staff and crew, was on a test flight to Pokhara.
Nepal’s aviation industry has faced safety concerns due to unpredictable weather and lax regulations. The crash occurred at 11:15 local time, shortly after takeoff. Videos show the plane engulfed in flames. Rescue teams quickly responded, extinguishing the fire and recovering the victims. Seventeen of the deceased are Nepali, and one is Yemeni.
