Tragedy struck Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, on Wednesday when a Saurya Airlines plane crashed and caught fire during takeoff, killing 18 people. Fortunately, the pilot survived and is receiving treatment in the hospital.
Firstly, the plane, carrying 19 people, including technical staff and crew members, was headed to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination. It took off from Tribhuvan International Airport at 11:15 local time but crashed within a minute. Notably, airport chief Jagannath Niraula revealed that the plane turned right instead of left, flying in the wrong direction.
Furthermore, an initial assessment suggests that this mistake may have caused the accident, but the exact reason remains unknown. Meanwhile, rescue workers rushed to the scene, navigating through the burnt and blackened wreckage. Photos show the plane’s large sections completely charred. Earlier, the plane was engulfed in fire and smoke.
Sadly, seventeen Nepali nationals and one Yemeni engineer lost their lives in the crash. Moreover, Nepal’s aviation industry has a poor safety record, attributed to factors like unpredictable weather and lax regulations. This incident follows a deadly Yeti Airlines crash in January 2023, which killed 72 people.
Consequently, Nepal’s air safety record has been criticized, with concerns over pilot training and aircraft maintenance. Saurya Airlines operates flights to five destinations within Nepal, using a fleet of three Bombardier CRJ-200 jets. Now, the company’s safety record is under scrutiny.
In response to the crash, authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause and prevent future accidents. Ultimately, the incident highlights the need for improved air safety measures in Nepal.
