A devastating incident involving Saurya Airlines occurred this morning, as an aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu, resulting in numerous fatalities. The flight, en route to Pokhara, a renowned tourist destination, met with disaster around 11:00 local time. Emergency services swiftly responded to the crash site.

Casualties and Immediate Response

The ill-fated aircraft was transporting 19 individuals, including the crew. Preliminary reports indicate that 18 of these passengers lost their lives, while the captain was urgently transported to a nearby hospital. Official casualty figures are pending confirmation by authorities.

Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moments as the plane attempted to depart from the southern end of Tribhuvan International Airport’s runway. Suddenly, the aircraft flipped, its wing impacting the ground before it was consumed by flames and fell into a gorge on the runway’s eastern side. Airport spokesperson Subash Jha confirmed the aircraft experienced a runway excursion during takeoff.

Aircraft and Airline Background

Saurya Airlines, based in Kathmandu, operates a fleet of three Bombardier CRJ200ER aircraft, with two currently active. Established in 2014, the airline services various domestic routes within Nepal, with its operations centered at Tribhuvan International Airport. Destinations include Chandargadi (Bhadrapur), Pokhara, and Biratnagar.

Nepal’s challenging geography, characterized by some of the world’s highest peaks including Mount Everest, makes aviation particularly hazardous. The difficult terrain has contributed to numerous air accidents over the years.

A notable recent incident occurred in January 2023, when Yeti Airlines flight YT691 crashed while attempting to land in Pokhara. The flight, which originated in Kathmandu, ended in tragedy as all 72 individuals on board perished. The official report attributed the crash to human error, highlighting the difficulties pilots face when navigating Nepal’s treacherous airspace.

Over the past three decades, Nepal has experienced over 25 air crashes, severely impacting the reputation of its airlines. This history of accidents led the European Union to ban all Nepalese airlines from its airspace in 2013, a prohibition that remains in effect.