An airplane crash incident happened last Sunday near the city of Pokhara in central Nepal in which 68 passengers died. As per government officials, this is the deadliest incident in more than 30 years of the country’s history.
Reports said that 72 people, including 4 crew members and 68 passengers, were on board, Mr. Sudarshan Bartaula said. The ATR 72 plane was operated by Yeti Airlines of Nepal at the time of the crash. Nepal’s civil aviation authority spokesperson also said that 37 men, 25 women, 3 children, and 3 infants were on the plane. They added that 53 passengers and 4 crew members belonged to Nepal, whereas 15 were Foreign Nationals, which 5 Indians, 4 Russians, 2 Koreans, and the remaining four belonged to France, Argentina, Ireland, and Australia.
An apparent video clip on Sunday was posted on social media showing the moments leading up to the aircraft crash. You can watch the clip here: https://fb.watch/i90_JWTl9z/
A state media outlet reports that the aircraft was flying from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, to Pokhara. This city is home to the second-largest population in the country and a gateway to the Himalayas. It is located some 129 kilometers (80 miles) west of Kathmandu, in a region known as Pokhara. It was about 10:50 a.m. when the last communication was made between the plane and Pokhara airport local time. Reuters reported on Monday that the plane’s pilot had requested a runway change within minutes of attempting to land on Sunday, a spokesperson for Pokhara airport said. “The permission was granted. “We don’t ask (why). Whenever a pilot asks, we permit to change approach,” the spokesperson, Anup Joshi, told Reuters.
A rescue operation is underway at the crash site, with Nepal Army fighters and police officers deployed to the area, according to the civil aviation authorities. Emergency responders were deployed to the crash site and are taking part in the rescue operation. An investigation committee composed of five members has also been formed to figure out what caused the crash in the first place. As per Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Paudel, who is also the official spokesperson for the Nepali government, the quintet is required to submit a report within 45 days.
