Pilot Lone Survivor in Saurya Airlines Crash in Kathmandu

Pilot Lone Survivor in Saurya Airlines Crash in Kathmandu/AP/PTI

VoM News Desk | July 24, 2024 | 01:47 PM IST | Asia, Breaking News, Nepal, World | Follow on Google News

Pilot Lone Survivor in Saurya Airlines Crash in Kathmandu

Pilot Lone Survivor in Saurya Airlines Crash in Kathmandu

Key Highlights:

1. Pilot Manish Shakya is the sole survivor of the Saurya Airlines crash.
2. 18 bodies recovered; all were airline technical staff members.
3. Tribhuvan International Airport closed, affecting domestic and international flights.

The pilot of the Saurya Airlines plane that crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is the lone survivor, according to an update from TIA. The crash resulted in 18 fatalities, with the pilot, 37-year-old Manish Shakya, being the only person rescued alive and taken to KMC Hospital in Sinamangal.

The aircraft, CRJ7 (Reg-9N-AME), took off from Kathmandu at 11:11 AM local time, heading for Pokhara for maintenance. Shortly after takeoff, it turned right and crashed east of the runway. TIA reported that the fire was quickly controlled, and rescue operations began immediately, recovering 18 bodies from the site. All victims were staff members of Saurya Airlines, with no passengers on board.

Nepal Police initially reported 15 bodies recovered. Gyanendra Bhul, TIA’s information officer, confirmed that the plane was only carrying technical staff. Witnesses saw smoke rising from the crash site, prompting a swift response from firefighters, Nepal Police, and the Nepali Army.

Following the crash, TIA was closed, disrupting dozens of flights. Domestic flights at various airports were halted, and international flights were either put on hold or diverted to other locations. The airport will remain closed until the completion of the rescue operation.

VoM News Desk

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