In a heartbreaking turn of events, a plane making a 27-minute flight to the popular tourist town of Pokhara in Nepal crashed into a gorge on Sunday while trying to land at a newly opened airport. The crash resulted in the deaths of at least 68 of the 72 people on board, making it the country’s deadliest airplane accident in three decades.
The Aftermath of the Crash
As night fell, rescue workers searched the wreckage on the edge of the cliff and in the ravine below the crash site near the airport in the resort town of Pokhara.
The rescue efforts were hampered by thick smoke and a raging fire, with local resident Bishnu Tiwari stating that “the flames were so hot that we couldn’t go near the wreckage. I heard a man crying for help, but because of the flames and smoke, we couldn’t help him.”
Officials temporarily suspended the search for the four missing people and planned to resume looking on Monday. As the investigation continues, it is not yet clear what caused the accident, according to Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority.
The Crash in Detail
The twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines flew from the capital, Kathmandu, to Pokhara, located 200 kilometers (125 miles) west. The flight carried 68 passengers, including 15 foreign nationals and four crew members. The passengers on board included citizens from India, Russia, South Korea, Ireland, Australia, Argentina, and France.
A witness, Gaurav Gurung, reported seeing the aircraft spinning rapidly in the air after it began descending to land. He watched from the terrace of his house as the plane fell nose-first towards its left and crashed into the gorge. The aviation authority stated that the aircraft last made contact with the airport near Seti Gorge at 10:50 a.m. before crashing.
The Impact on Nepal
The crash occurred at Pokhara International Airport, which had only been open for two weeks. Pokhara is a popular tourist location and the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a well-known hiking trail in the Himalayas. The crash has raised concerns about the safety of Nepal’s aviation industry, as the country has a history of air accidents due to poor maintenance, inadequate safety procedures, and a lack of regulatory oversight.
The Nepalese government has been criticized for not investing enough in the country’s aviation infrastructure and allowing airlines to operate with old, poorly maintained aircraft. The crash is also a major blow to Nepal’s tourism industry, which has been recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Family members of the victims were seen at Kathmandu airport, appearing distraught and, in some cases, exchanging heated words with officials as they waited for information. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry and the Russian Ambassador to Nepal confirmed that citizens of their respective countries were among the victims of the crash. An Argentine passenger, Jannet Palavecino, was also confirmed to have been on the flight.
The Investigation
In Kathmandu, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal set up a panel to investigate the crash after rushing to Tribhuvan International Airport. A team from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) will lead the investigation. It will involve the participation of experts from the aircraft manufacturer, ATR, and other international organizations.
The Nepalese government has announced that they will provide financial assistance to the victims’ families, including compensation for the loss of life and medical expenses.
The plane’s wreckage was located about 1.6 kilometers (nearly a mile) from Pokhara International Airport. The crash occurred at around 10:50 am local time, soon after the plane had made contact with the airport.
The aircraft’s black boxes have been recovered and will be analyzed as part of the investigation to understand the cause of the accident. The investigation is ongoing, and any further information on the cause of the accident will be made available as it becomes available.
The incident has led to the suspension of flights to Pokhara international airport and the airport’s closure for investigation. The incident highlights the need for more stringent safety protocols and regulations in the aviation industry to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
The global aviation industry is expressing condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Nepal and offering support to the ongoing investigation. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Nepal and offering support for the ongoing investigation.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has also issued a statement expressing its condolences and solidarity with the people of Nepal and reaffirming their support for the country’s tourism industry.
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the importance of aviation safety and the need for more stringent safety protocols and regulations in the industry. We can only hope for a swift and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash.