23 dead in Nepal plane crash
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A passenger plane with carrying 23 people crashed in Nepal on Wednesday, killing everyone onboard.
The Twin Otter aircraft, operated by Tara Air, was carrying 20 passengers, including two infants, and three crew members when it disappeared from radar screens while on a short domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom.
The BBC reports that Chinese and Kuwaiti nationals were among those onboard.
The cause of the crash is not immediately clear and bad weather is hampering recovery efforts. The Himalayan Times reports that 19 bodies have so far been recovered. Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation says it has formed a five-member panel to investigate the crash.
In a statement, Tara Air confirmed that the aircraft was “found crashed at Tirkhe Dhunga [in] Myagdi district”.
“With deepest regret and extreme shock, Tara Air… informs the crash of this airline’s flight number TA193. We extend the deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the deceased. Our management is cooperating fully with the investigation.”
Nepal has a poor air safety record, partly due to its mountainous landscape and unpredictable weather conditions. But the country’s safety standards are also under scrutiny; all Nepalese carriers are currently banned from flying to EU countries.
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