Tragic Runway Fire Claims Lives in Kathmandu

At least five people died after a Saurya Airlines plane caught fire and skidded off the runway while taking off from Kathmandu Airport. The aircraft was carrying crew members and technicians to Pokhara. Nepal’s air safety record has been under scrutiny following multiple crashes, including one in January 2023.

At least five people were killed when a small plane caught fire and skidded off the runway while taking off from Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, on Wednesday, according to media reports and officials.

The plane, operated by Saurya Airlines, was carrying two crew members and 17 technicians to Pokhara for maintenance checks, stated Airport Security Chief Arjun Chand Thakuri. Five bodies were recovered, reported The Kathmandu Post. Visuals showed firefighters attempting to control the blaze, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

'The plane caught fire after skidding off the runway at Kathmandu airport and crashing into a field east of the runway,' Thakuri said. Saurya Airlines, which flies domestic routes in Nepal using two Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jets aged around 20 years, confirmed the incident. Nepal has faced criticism for its poor air safety record, with past tragedies including the 1992 Pakistan International Airlines crash that killed 167 people. The most recent major accident, involving Yeti Airlines, resulted in 72 deaths in January 2023, attributed to pilot error.

(With inputs from agencies.)