Nepal: Saurya Airlines Plane Crashes During Takeoff In Kathmandu; 13 Bodies Recovered, Pilot Rescued

A Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during takeoff at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday (24 July).

The accident occurred after the Pokhara-bound plane 9N-AME (CRJ 200) suffered a runway excursion during takeoff.

The bodies of 13 people have been recovered from the accident site.

According to the local media, nineteen people were aboard the Pokhara-bound plane.

Of the 19 people, 18 have reportedly been confirmed dead.

The aircraft's pilot, Manish Shakya, aged 37, was rescued from the wreckage and taken to a nearby hospital in Sinamangal for treatment.

According to Gyanendra Bhul, an information officer at TIA, the plane was transporting technical personnel of the airline.

Following the accident, thick smoke was observed rising from the aircraft.

Emergency responders, including police officers and firefighters, were dispatched to the scene to carry out rescue efforts.

According to the eyewitnesses cited in a Kathmandu Post report, the plane was taking off from the Southern-end of the runway (Koteshwor side) and suddenly flipped with the wing tip hitting the ground.

The aircraft caught fire immediately. It then plunged to a gorge on the eastern side of the runway—between Buddha Air hanger and the radar station.

Saurya Airlines was purchased by India's Kuber Group in 2019 for 630 million Nepali rupees.

Plans to rebrand the airline as Kuber Airlines in 2021 were subsequently postponed.

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