According to information obtained by 365NEWS, a passenger jet carrying 19 passengers crashed on Wednesday morning after takeoff in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Firefighters are currently attempting to put out the smouldering wreckage.
The Nepalese military released a statement after the Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed at around 11:15 am (0530 GMT).
Assisting with the rescue efforts is the army’s fast reaction squad, the statement continued.
General Manager Jagannath Niroula of the Kathmandu airport told AFP that more information was “still being confirmed.”
The flight carried 19, including air crew, according to the Kathmandu Post newspaper.
According to news portal Khabarhub, the aircraft was “releasing a significant plume of smoke” and had caught fire after sliding on the runway.
The aircraft was travelling to Pokhara, one of the Himalayan republic’s major tourist destinations.
On its website, Saurya Airlines states that it only operates Bombardier CRJ 200 aircraft.
In recent years, Nepal’s aviation sector has expanded rapidly, transporting both people and products to remote locations, as well as international hikers and climbers.
However, inadequate maintenance and training have led to poor safety.
Due to safety concerns, the European Union has prohibited any airlines from Nepal from using its airspace.
Nepal’s hazardous topography has made matters worse given its appalling reputation for aviation safety.
Situated between snow-capped hills, the Himalayan nation has some of the world’s most difficult runways for landings, with approaches that can be difficult even for seasoned pilots.
In the highlands, the weather may also change suddenly, making flying hazardous.