Nepal plane crashes during takeoff: What we know so far

Nepal averages about one flight disaster a year.

A Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Wednesday, according to reports.

•At least 19 people, including aircrew, were aboard the Pokhara-bound Saurya Airlines plane which met with the accident at around 11 am, sources told PTI.

• The plane was carrying two crew members and 17 technicians to Pokhara city for maintenance checks, Airport Security Chief Arjun Chand Thakuri told news agency Reuters.

• 18 passengers reportedly died, according to reports.

•News portal Khabarhub reported that the Saurya Airlines airplane had caught fire and was "releasing a significant plume of smoke".

•The aircraft was en route Pokhara from Kathmandu.

•Rescue operations are being carried out by police and firefighters.

•The accident occurred after the Pokhara-bound flight suffered a runway excursion during takeoff, TIA Spokesperson Subash Jha told Kathmandu Post.

• According to PTI,  the plane caught fire upon impact, but the blaze was quickly extinguished by emergency responders. The pilot was transported to a nearby hospital. No further details regarding the pilot's condition have been released.

•" The Saurya Arlines flight 9N-AME, a Mitsubishi CRJ-200ER, was carrying a few technical staffers as well, reported The Himalayan Times.

•  The Tribhuvan International Airport is a tabletop airport on the top of a plateau surrounded by deep gorges and valleys on all sides. It is considered to among the riskiest airports in the world.

•  The Tribhuvan International Airport has been closed following the incident.