A passenger plane crash has killed at least 18 as the aircraft skidded off the runway and exploded in a fireball in Nepal.
Footage shows the smouldering wreckage of the plane which crashed with 19 people onboard in Kathmandu, Nepal, this morning.
The Bombardier CRJ 200 operated by Saurya Airlines was travelling to the resort town of Pokhara when it reportedly skidded off the runway during take-off at around 11am local time (6.15am UK time). It was not clear how it slipped.
Videos from the scene show a large fire with smoke rising at the Tribhuvan International Airport and local media images show plane wreckage scattered all over a ditch. Firefighters doused the fire to bring it under control.
Officials said at least 18 people had died in the crash. Those onboard included the crew and passengers.
People stand at the site after a Saurya Airlines’ plane crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on July 24, 2024
Rescuers and army personnel stand at the site after a Saurya Airlines’ plane crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on July 24, 2024
The wreckage of the passenger plane can be seen at the crash site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 24, 2024
Footage shows the smouldering wreckage of a plane that crashed with 19 people onboard
Local media images show plane wreckage scattered all over a ditch as emergency personnel was looking for survivors
Smoke rises from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. State television in Nepal says a plane has slipped off the runway and crashed while trying to take off from Kathmandu airport
Police officers gathered at Tribhuvan International Airport following the plane crash
The pilot of the plane was seemingly the only one to survive the crash and has been taken to the Kathmandu Medical College Hospital for treatment, said a doctor at the hospital who was not authorised to speak to media.
The pilot has injuries to the eyes but is not in any danger, the doctor added.
Tribhuvan International Airport, the main airport in Nepal for international and domestic flights, has been closed as emergency crew worked.
It is monsoon rainy season in Kathmandu but was not raining at the time of the crash. Visibility was low across the capital, however.
Saurya Airlines operates the Bombardier CRJ 200 on domestic routes.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.