On Wednesday morning, a plane crash at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, resulted in the deaths of 18 people. The aircraft, operated by Saurya Airlines, was en route from Kathmandu to Pokhara when it crashed shortly after takeoff. Videos of the incident have also emerged. The plane had 19 people on board, and only one pilot survived. It has now been reported that three members of the same family were among those who lost their lives in the crash.

Another video shows the accident sequence from the apron at Kathmandu Airport:pic.twitter.com/2zoTheNJQI

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— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) July 24, 2024

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Three Family Members Among Those Who Died

According to a statement from the airline, the ill-fated flight was carrying flight maintenance staff Manuraj Sharma, his wife Prija Khatiwada, and their four-year-old son Adhiraj Sharma. All three perished in the crash. The statement added that Prija was also a government employee, working as an assistant computer operator in the Ministry of Energy. Notably, 17 of the deceased were staff members of Saurya Airlines.

One Pilot Survives

Captain M.R. Shakya, 37, was the sole survivor of the crash and has been rescued from the crash site. He is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. The aircraft involved was a Bombardier CRJ-200ER, built in 2003, and was being transported for maintenance. The airline stated that the plane was heading to Pokhara for a technical inspection after repairs. The plane took off from Runway 2 but crashed on Runway 20.

Also Read: Watch: CCTV Footage Captures Plane Crash At Kathmandu Airport

Why Do Plane Crashes Happen So Often in Nepal?

Plane crashes are not a new issue in Nepal. The country has seen numerous reports of such accidents. Various factors contribute to these incidents, including mountainous terrain, unpredictable weather, outdated aircraft, inadequate infrastructure, and the prolonged use of older planes. According to reports, Nepal has experienced around 28 plane crashes over the past 30 years. For context, earlier in 2023, a plane crash resulted in the deaths of 68 people.

Also Read: Nepal: Plane Crashes At Tribhuvan International Airport In Kathmandu, 18 Dead 1 Injured