A Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Wednesday, according to reports.
Here is what we know so far.
•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.
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