Nepal's Air Tragedies: A Grim Record of Plane and Helicopter Crashes

Nepal has a history plagued by frequent and deadly air crashes. A recent plane fire in Kathmandu adds to a list of over 19 air incidents since 2000, claiming nearly 360 lives. The country's challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions often contribute to these tragedies.

Nepal's mountainous terrain and challenging weather conditions have once again proven lethal, as a small plane carrying 19 passengers caught fire during takeoff in Kathmandu, the capital, on Wednesday. The incident is the latest in a tragic series of air disasters that have plagued the Himalayan country.

Since 2000, Nepal has experienced nearly 360 fatalities in 19 air crashes, underscoring the perilous combination of adverse weather and treacherous landscapes. Notable recent incidents include a 2024 Bombardier CRJ 200 crash in Kathmandu that killed 18, and a 2023 Yeti Airlines disaster in Pokhara that claimed 72 lives—marking the worst air crash since 1992.

Among other devastating accidents, a helicopter crash in 2019 killed the country's tourism minister, and a 2018 US-Bangla Airlines crash near Kathmandu airport resulted in 51 deaths. Despite modern aviation technology, Nepal's rugged geography continues to pose significant risks for air travel.

(With inputs from agencies.)