Kathmandu: A 72-seater passenger plane crashed on the runway of Pokhara International Airport in Nepal today. Rescue operations are underway and the airport has been closed for the time being.
The plane was on its way to Pokhara from Kathmandu. There were 68 passengers and four crew members on board the plane that crashed between the old airport and Pokhara International Airport, yeti airline spokesperson Sudarshan Bartoula said.
At least 40 people were killed in the crash, according to an army spokesman. So far eight bodies have been recovered and more bodies are feared to be found.
According to state-run Nepal television, 10 foreign nationals were among the passengers. Army spokesman Krishna Bhandari said that the plane broke into pieces after the accident. Rescue operations are underway.
According to the information, there are also reports of five Indians on board the plane. Apart from these, there are four foreign travelers from Russia, two from South Korea, one each from Ireland, Australia, Argentina and France.