Kathmandu, Jan 15 (UiTV/IANS) – Five Indian nationals were onboard the plane that crashed in Nepal’s Pokhara on Sunday, and at least 30 bodies have been recovered so far.
According to the airport authorities, of the 72 passengers onboard including the crew members, 53 were Nepali citizens and five were Indian, four were Russian, two South Korean, one Irish, one each from Argentina, Australia and France.
The airport authorities said that they are still looking for survivors.
Chief District Officer, Tek Bahadur KC of Kaski district confirmed that dead bodies of 30 passengers have been recovered so far.
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An ATR 72 aircraft that flew to Pokhara from Kathmandu crashed between the old airport and the Pokhara International Airport, Sudarshan Bartaula, spokesperson of Yeti Airlines, said.
Images and videos posted on social media platforms showed plumes of smoke billowing from the crash site.
The plane caught fire while it was about to land at newly-built Pokhara airport.
Rescuers have so far pulled out 35 bodies from a Yeti Airlines crash site in Pokhara of Kaski district.
Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Rudra Thapa confirmed with the Kathmandu Post that 25 bodies have been taken to different hospitals in Pokhara for post-mortem. Thapa said the police came to know about the crash at around 11 a.m.
Police Inspector Gyan Bahadur Khadka at Kaski District Police Office said the rescue operation is underway in a full-swing.
The aircraft contacted the control tower at 10.50 a.m. before it went off the radar.
A total of 68 passengers and four crew members were on board the aircraft that crashed between the old airport and the Pokhara International Airport, Sudarshan Bartaula, spokesperson of Yeti Airlines, told the Post.
Among the passengers are three infants, three children and 62 adults.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the passengers included 53 Nepalis, five Indians, four Russians, one Irish, one Australian, one Argentinian, two Koreans and one French.
Two helicopters were deployed from Pokhara airport while additional choppers are on standby in Kathmandu, CAAN said in a statement.
Following the crash, the Pokhara International Airport has been closed for flight operations today, Teknath Sitaula, Spokesperson for Pokhara airport told Rastriya Samachar Samiti.
