68 confirmed dead as Nepal plane crashes in clear weather seconds before landing
- Aircraft carrying 72 went down in gorge in Pokhara near new China-built airport; Indians, South Koreans, Australian among the passengers
- It is the country’s deadliest crash in three decades; Pokhara is gateway to Annapurna Circuit, a popular hiking trail in the Himalayas
02:41
Dozens killed in Pokhara plane crash, Nepal’s deadliest air tragedy in three decades
As search efforts ended for the day, 68 people were confirmed dead after a regional passenger plane with 72 aboard crashed into a gorge while coming in to land at a newly opened airport in the resort town of Pokhara on Sunday, according to Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority. It is the country’s deadliest aeroplane accident in three decades.
The authority posted the announcement to Twitter while rescuers were scouring the crash site near the Seti River, about a mile from Pokhara International Airport, which began operations two weeks ago.
Officials suspended the search for the four missing people overnight and planned to resume looking on Monday.
Local resident Bishnu Tiwari, who rushed to the site to help search for bodies, said rescue efforts were hampered by thick smoke and a raging fire.
“The flames were so hot that we couldn’t go near the wreckage. I heard a man crying for help, but because of the flames and smoke we couldn’t help him,” Tiwari said.
Social media videos showed an aircraft flying low before banking sharply.