KATHMANDU, JULY 24
A Saurya Airlines plane has crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu while taking off for Pokhara from Kathmandu.
The plane 9N-AME (CRJ 200) was only carrying technical staff of the airline, with no passengers on board. Gyanendra Bhul, information officer at TIA, confirmed that the plane was carrying a few technical staff members.
The aircraft was being taken to Pokhara for maintenance. Pokhra Regional Airport has a new hanger being used for aircraft maintenance.
The plane crashed shortly after taking off from the runway, at around 11:00 AM today.
Following the crash, smoke was seen coming from the plane. Firefighters and security personnel, including Nepal Police and the Nepali Army, have been deployed to the crash site and are currently trying to control the situation.
Meanwhile, the captain of the plane, 37-year-old Manish Shakya, was rescued from the wreckage and taken to KMC Hospital, Sinamangal for treatment, according to the police.
It has been learned that there were 19 people on board.
Further details are awaited as the situation develops.
