A tragic incident occurred in Kathmandu when a small passenger plane belonging to Nepal’s Saurya Airlines crashed and caught fire while taking off, resulting in the loss of 18 lives. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and 17 technicians who were headed to Nepal’s new Pokhara airport for regular maintenance. Shortly after takeoff, the plane veered off course and crashed on the east side of the runway, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
This devastating crash once again highlighted the poor air safety record of Nepal, a landlocked country heavily dependent on air connectivity due to its limited road network. Since 2000, nearly 350 people have lost their lives in plane or helicopter crashes in the country. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli visited the crash site and urged the public to remain patient, while an emergency cabinet meeting was called to establish a panel to investigate the cause of the tragedy.
Of the 18 individuals on board the aircraft, only the captain survived and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. The rest of the passengers, who were Nepali citizens, and one engineer from Yemen, tragically lost their lives in the crash. Television footage of the incident showed fire fighters attempting to extinguish the flames and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The visuals also captured the plane flying slightly above the runway before tilting to the right and crashing.
The crash of the 50-seater CRJ-200 aircraft, with the registration 9N-AME, has deeply affected the aviation industry in Nepal and raised concerns about the safety of air travel in the region. The government has promised a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the causes and prevent similar tragedies in the future. The aviation authorities in Nepal have been under scrutiny for their handling of safety regulations and ensuring proper maintenance of aircraft to prevent accidents.
As the nation mourns the loss of 18 lives in this tragic plane crash, there is a renewed focus on improving air safety standards and infrastructure in Nepal. The government, along with international aviation agencies, will be closely monitoring the investigation and implementing necessary changes to enhance safety protocols. The families of the victims are receiving support and assistance during this difficult time, and efforts are being made to prevent such accidents from reoccurring in the future.
