A tragic incident unfolded at Tribhuvan International Airport as a Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during takeoff, claiming the lives of at least 18 individuals out of the total 19 on board. The plane, identified as a Bombardier CRJ-200ER with registration 9N-AME, was en route to Pokhara, a popular tourism destination in Nepal, when it skidded off the runway, leading to the fatal crash. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene as investigations commenced to determine the cause of the accident.
According to reports, the last signal from the aircraft was received at 05:26:25 UTC time, shortly before the crash occurred around 11 am local time. The TIA spokesperson, Premnath Thakur, informed the Kathmandu Post about the situation, indicating that rescue operations were ongoing with police and firefighters working to manage the aftermath of the crash. The pilot of the aircraft was reportedly taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while the fire that broke out post-crash has been successfully extinguished.
The aviation industry in Nepal has witnessed growth in recent years, aiding in transportation to remote areas and supporting the tourism sector. Despite this, safety concerns have lingered due to issues such as inadequate training and maintenance practices, leading to a ban by the European Union on Nepali airlines operating within its airspace. The aircraft involved in the crash, which was acquired in 2019 and belonged to India's Kuber Group, highlights the challenges facing the aviation sector in Nepal in terms of safety standards and regulation compliance.