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23 people killed in Nepal plane crash

Wednesday, 24 February 2016 10:12 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 24 February 2016 10:11 AM ]

The AFP file photo shows a Tara Air DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, similar to one that went missing early on February 24, 2016 at the Lamidanda airstrip some 120 kilometers east of Kathmandu, Nepal.

A small plane carrying 23 people has crashed in a mountainous region in north Nepal due to bad weather, killing all people on board, officials say.

Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Aananda Prasad Pokharel said on Wednesday that rescue teams found the wreckage of the Twin Otter turboprop aircraft that was reported missing earlier in the day.

Pokharel also said that the passenger plane was on a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom when it lost contact with the control tower. The burnt-out wreckage of the plane was later found in the western district of Myagdi with bodies being scattered around it.

"The wreckage of the plane was found in a completely burnt state in Solighopte in Myagdi district. The team there say that the bodies are scattered and it is not possible to identify anyone right now,” the minister said.

He added that more security agencies have been sent to the region to get further information.

The airline, Tara Air, said in a statement on its website that three crew and 20 passengers were on board the plane. A Chinese and a Kuwaiti national as well as two children were among the passengers.

It also said that the plane lost contact with control tower eight minutes after it took off and that the weather condition was good when it left Pokhara .

"The weather at both origin and destination airports was favorable and the airport cleared for departure by the control tower at Pokhara," the airline added.

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