According to Reuters, a Yeti Airlines plane that was ferrying 72 people, crashed in Nepal and killed 68 people, making it the country’s worst aircraft disaster in 30 years.
BBC reported that hundreds of Nepalese soldiers have been deployed for rescue operations at the crash site, the gorge of the Seti River which is about 2km away from the airport.
The ATR 72 plane was flying from Kathmandu at the time, and among the passengers include 2 infants, 4 crew members and 10 foreigners.
Reuters reported that the plane made last contact with the airport at about 10.30am before crashing between the old and new Pokhara airports.
Videos started circulating online showing the aftermath of the crash, with thick black smoke encapsulating the crashed aircraft.
Rescuers and some people could be seen among the wreckage, with half of the plane being on the hillside while the other half had fallen into the gorge of the river.
The plane was also seen making a sharp turn while flying over a populated area moments before it crashed.
Tragic News coming in.
— Aman Dwivedi (@amandwivedi48) January 15, 2023
Plane Crash in Nepal with 72 On-board. Yeti Air (ATR72)
Praying for survivors. 🙏
Incident: 15th Jan, 2023, Pokhra Nepal.#NepalPlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/Vl7mq8osgn
Video of what seems to be moments before the crash of Yeti Airlines🇳🇵 ATR72 carrying 72 passengers near Pokhara Airport#aerowanderer #aviation #avgeek #nepal #yetiairlines pic.twitter.com/hk12Edlvpf
— Aerowanderer (@aerowanderer) January 15, 2023