Tragic Crash: 18 Killed in Saurya Airlines Flight in Kathmandu

A Saurya Airlines plane crashed and caught fire during takeoff from Kathmandu, killing 18 people. The aircraft, carrying two crew members and 17 technicians, was en route for maintenance at Pokhara airport. The captain is the only survivor, and Nepal's air safety history remains under scrutiny.

At least 18 people were killed after a Nepal's Saurya Airlines plane crashed and caught fire during takeoff from Kathmandu on Wednesday, officials reported.

The plane, carrying two crew members and 17 technicians, was headed for regular maintenance at the newly opened Pokhara airport. Tej Bahadur Poudyal, the spokesman for Tribhuvan International Airport, mentioned that only the captain survived and is currently hospitalized.

Television footage showed firefighters battling the flames and thick black smoke. Clips also revealed the plane barely above the runway before tilting and crashing. Rescue workers were seen combing through the charred wreckage and transporting bodies to ambulances.

The airport was temporarily shut down. Saurya Airlines revealed the crashed plane was a 50-seater CRJ200 aircraft.

According to Flight Radar 24, Saurya operates two CRJ-200 jets, a fleet initially by Bombardier and now under Mitsubishi Heavy Industries since 2020. While Bombardier deferred queries to MHI RJ Aviation Group, the latter did not respond immediately. Established in 2014, Saurya prides itself on offering a 'jet experience' on domestic routes in Nepal.

Nepal's air safety has faced criticisms, with nearly 350 fatalities in crashes since 2000. The gravest happened in 1992 when a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus crashed, killing 167. The recent crash of a Yeti Airlines flight in January 2023 saw 72 deaths due to pilot error.

(With inputs from agencies.)