Plane carrying 72 people, including 5 Indians, crashes in Nepal's Pokhara

Five Indians were among the 68 passengers aboard the ATR 72 aircraft operated by Yeti Airlines

A passenger aircraft carrying 72 people, including five Indians, crashed while landing at the Pokhara International Airport in Nepal on Sunday, according to the Nepalese media. A report in The Himalayan Times said at least 32 bodies have been recovered from the crash site so far and rescuers are still working to find survivors.

The plane was carrying 68 passengers – 15 foreigners, including five Indians – and four crew members, who included two pilots and two air hostesses.

The ATR 72 aircraft of the Yeti Airlines took off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:30 am and was set to land in Pokhara when it crashed on the banks of the Seti River, about two kilometres from the airport, officials said.

The Kathmandu Post reported that the Pokhara airport has been closed temporarily and a rescue team has been deployed at the crash site on a helicopter. The rescuers are being supported by locals who were the first-responders at the crash site.

On Twitter, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his sadness over the crash and urged all Nepal government agencies, security forces, and locals to expedite the rescue operation. He has also called an emergency meeting of his Council of Ministers.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed his condolences over the tragic deaths.

"The loss of lives in a tragic plane crash in Nepal is extremely unfortunate. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the bereaved. Om Shanti," he said on Twitter.

 

Nepal has tragic history of aircraft crashes as a number of airstrips are located in rocky terrains. The popular tourist destination of Pokhara especially is located among the hills. The sudden weather changes in this region adds to the difficulty.

In May 2022, a plane crash in the country killed all 22 people on board the aircraft operated by Nepali carrier Tara Air. Four Indians were among those killed.

In March 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines plane crash-landed near Kathmandu's international airport, killing 51 people.