A tragic incident unfolded at Tribhuvan International Airport, where a Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during takeoff, claiming the lives of at least 18 individuals on board. The flight was scheduled to travel to Pokhara when the accident occurred, involving a Bombardier CRJ-200ER identified by its registration number 9N-AME and serial number 7772. Although the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, initial reports suggest that the plane skidded off the runway shortly after taking off.
The crash, which occurred around 11 am local time, prompted the deployment of emergency services to the scene to manage the aftermath of the devastating event. An official from Tribhuvan International Airport confirmed that the last signal from the aircraft was received at 05:26:25 UTC time, and rescue operations have been initiated to address the situation. The fire that erupted post-crash has been successfully extinguished, and efforts are underway to stabilize the situation.
As responders work diligently at the crash site, reports indicate that the pilot of the aircraft has been transferred to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Details regarding the condition of the passengers remain scarce, although some accounts describe the plane emitting smoke and catching fire during the incident. Despite the airline's primary focus being on operating Bombardier CRJ 200 jets in its fleet, questions surrounding the maintenance and training procedures in Nepal's aviation industry persist, raising concerns about safety in the sector.
This tragedy sheds light on the challenges faced by Nepal's aviation sector, where rapid growth has been accompanied by safety issues prompting international restrictions. With the aircraft involved in the recent crash being acquired in 2019 and linked to India's Kuber Group, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are crucial in understanding and preventing such occurrences in the future.