- Plane crash in Kathmandu kills 18 people.
- Pilot is the sole survivor
- Nepal's aviation safety record under scrutiny.
A tragic plane crash occurred on Wednesday as a Saurya Airlines flight departed from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
The aircraft, carrying 17 company employees and two crew members bound for Pokhara, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all passengers and one crew member.
The sole survivor of the disaster is the pilot, who sustained injuries but is currently in stable condition. Eyewitnesses described a loud explosion and subsequent fire engulfing the plane.
Nepal’s aviation industry has a history of accidents, raising concerns about safety protocols and conditions. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, with initial reports suggesting the plane may have deviated from its intended flight path.
The incident has prompted a temporary closure of Kathmandu airport, though operations have since resumed.
