Tragedy in the Skies: Saurya Airlines Plane Crash Claims 18 Lives in Kathmandu

A devastating scene unfolded today at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport as a Saurya Airlines plane, carrying 19 individuals, crashed and burst into flames during takeoff. The tragic incident resulted in the loss of at least 18 lives, leaving only the captain critically injured and receiving treatment. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-200 operated by Saurya Airlines, was en route to Pokhara with two crew members and 17 technicians onboard, bound for maintenance duties.

Eyewitnesses and dramatic video footage captured the plane’s ill-fated attempt to ascend, showing it veering off the runway, tilting precariously, and then engulfed in fire as it skidded across the tarmac. Rescue efforts were swiftly mobilized, with firefighters battling to extinguish the inferno and rescue workers sifting through the debris strewn across the lush fields surrounding the airport.

This latest air disaster underscores Nepal’s challenging aviation safety record, marred by several fatal crashes in recent decades. The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety protocols and infrastructure at Nepal’s airports, prompting authorities to temporarily close Tribhuvan International Airport. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash as the nation mourns the lives lost in this tragic air tragedy.