2024-07-26 08:37:47
In Nepal, a Saurya Airlines passenger plane crashed on Wednesday during takeoff at Kathmandu airport. Eighteen passengers died and the only survivor was one of the two pilots on board.
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The plane was already in the air when it quickly tilted to one side and fell back onto the runway, according to images from airport security cameras broadcast by Nepalese media.
The flight was carrying two crew members and 17 company employees. “Eighteen bodies have been recovered, including one of a foreigner,” said the Nepalese police spokesman, And Bahadur Karki.
The pilot, the only survivor of the incident, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment (Reuters)
Videos posted by local television Kantipur TV show the aircraft completely destroyed, with part of its fuselage burned, near the airport, and surrounded by dozens of rescue workers.
Although the cause of the accident is still unknown, it was reported that the plane was heading towards the city of Pokhara, a common entry point for people into the Himalayas and a frequent air route for foreign tourists who want to catch a glimpse of the highest mountain range on the planet.
Poor safety standards on Nepal’s planes and airports
Sauraya Airlines uses only Bombardier CRJ 200 aircraft, according to its website. Nepal’s airline industry has grown strongly in recent years, transporting people and goods to hard-to-reach areas, as well as mountaineers. However, several sources have pointed out that there are shortcomings in terms of safety standards that should be met by airlines.
In addition, accidents occur frequently in the Asian country due to the poor condition of aircraft and airport infrastructure, coupled with rapidly changing weather conditions that present extremely adverse conditions. Because of this, the services have been subject to repeated international sanctions.
In these circumstances, the European Union banned all Nepalese airlines from flying over its airspace for “security reasons”.