A PASSENGER plane carrying 19 people has crashed and burst into flames after skidding off a runway in Nepal.
The plane reportedly plunged towards the ground just moments after takeoff with 18 bodies being recovered from the wreckage, report local media.
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Pictures show the burning wreckage at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) as thick plumes of smoke are seen billowing across the sky.
The Saurya airline jet was heading from Kathmandu to the resort town of Pokhara when it crashed, say Nepal Television.
Onlookers were seen scrambling across a field where the plane was left in flames to help find any survivors.
Shocked witnesses say the plane suddenly flipped midair as the wing collided with the ground – instantly catching on fire.
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Moments later it was seen spiralling into a gorge on the eastern side of the runway.
Tragically 18 bodies have been found, say The Katmandu Post.
Captain MR Shakya has been rushed to the Kathmandu Medical College Hospital, says TIA spokesperson Subash Jha.
His injuries are not life-threatening.
Investigations into what caused the plane to skid off the runway are ongoing.
Initial reports point towards the flight suffering a runway excursion on takeoff, Jha announced.
The airport has been closed as emergency services and the Nepalese military clear the plane.
Saurya Airlines typically use the Bombardier CRJ 200 on all domestic routes.
It comes as the European Union has banned all Nepalese carriers from flying over its airspace over recent safety concerns.
The country suffers from a poor safety record due to a lack of training for pilots and dwindling maintenance.
The weather and rocky terrain can also cause havoc for even the most experienced pilots.
Nepal’s largest fatal plane crash in recent years came in January 2023 when 69 passengers and crew were killed in a horror accident.
The Yeti Airlines service crashed while landing at Pokhara with a harrowing video showing passengers on board just moments before the crash.
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