Tragedy struck today at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, Nepal, as a Saurya Airlines plane crashed during takeoff, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. The ill-fated flight, 9N-AME (CRJ 200), was bound for Pokhara with 19 people onboard, including technical staff of the airline.
Gyanendra Bhul, TIA’s information officer, confirmed that the bodies of five victims have been recovered from the crash site. The captain of the plane, 37-year-old Manish Shakya, was rescued from the wreckage and immediately transported to a nearby hospital in Sinamangal for treatment.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke billowing from the plane following the crash, prompting a swift response from police personnel and firefighters who were deployed to the site to carry out rescue operations.
The airline, which was acquired by India’s Kuber Group in 2019 for 630 million Nepali rupees, had plans to rebrand itself as Kuber Airlines in 2021. However, the rebranding initiative was put on hold.
A video of the crash has surfaced online, capturing the aftermath and rescue efforts. The incident is currently under investigation, and further details are awaited as authorities work to determine the cause of the crash and ensure the safety of other flights.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time. Saurya Airlines and Tribhuvan International Airport are cooperating fully with investigators to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
