Saurya Airlines Crash in Kathmandu Claims 18 Lives

An aircraft belonging to Saurya Airlines crashed shortly after taking off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport this morning, resulting in multiple fatalities. The flight, which was headed to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination, crashed around 11:00 local time. Emergency services, including police and firefighters, quickly responded to the scene.

According to initial reports, the aircraft carried 19 people, including crew members. While official casualty figures are pending confirmation, it is reported that 18 people have died, and the flight captain has been hospitalized. Eyewitnesses stated that the plane was taking off from the southern end of the runway when it flipped suddenly, with its wing hitting the ground. The aircraft then suffered a runway excursion, crashed, and caught fire, eventually dropping into a gorge on the eastern side of the runway.

Saurya Airlines, founded in 2014, operates domestic flights within Nepal using its fleet of Bombardier CRJ200ER aircraft. Of its three aircraft, two are currently in active service. The airline's main hub is Tribhuvan International Airport, and it services destinations including Chandragadi (Bhadrapur), Pokhara, and Biratnagar.

Nepal's challenging geographical location, with its mountainous terrain, makes flying particularly difficult. The country is home to some of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest, contributing to numerous aviation accidents over the years. In January 2023, a Yeti Airlines flight crashed while landing in Pokhara, killing all 72 onboard. Another notable incident occurred in 2022 when a Tara Air Twin Otter turboprop crashed in the Mustang region, killing 22 people shortly after takeoff from Pokhara.

Over the past three decades, Nepal has experienced more than 25 air crashes. This high rate of incidents has significantly impacted the credibility of Nepali airlines. In response, the European Union banned all Nepali airlines from its airspace in 2013, a ban that remains in effect today.

This tragic event underscores the persistent risks and challenges of aviation in Nepal, where rugged terrain and variable weather conditions create hazardous flying conditions.