The death toll in the plane crash in Pokhara in Kosaki district of Nepal has increased to 68. The bodies of 64 victims have been taken to the city’s Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, the Kathmandu Post quoted Kaski Police Chief Superintendent Ajay KC as saying. Academy director Bahadur Khatri said that the process of identification of the dead bodies is going on.
There were 68 passengers and four crew members on board the plane that crashed between the old airport and Pokhara International Airport, Yeti Airlines spokesperson Sudarshan Bartaula said. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the passengers included 53 Nepalese, five Indians, four One citizen each from Russia, Ireland, Australia, Argentina, Korea and France was included.
Earlier, Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Rudra Thapa confirmed to the Kathmandu Post that 25 bodies have been taken to various hospitals in Pokhara for post-mortem. Thapa said that the police came to know about the accident at around 11 am. Police Inspector Gyan Bahadur Khadka at the Kaski District Police Office said that the rescue operation is going on in full swing. The aircraft contacted the control tower at 10.50 a.m. before disappearing from the radar.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the passengers included 53 Nepalese, five Indians, four Russians, one Irish, one Australian, one Argentine, two Koreans and one French. Helicopters have been deployed, while additional helicopters are ready in Kathmandu.
Pokhara Airport spokesperson Teknath Sitaula told the National News Committee that Pokhara International Airport has been closed for flight operations today following the accident. Details of the accident are awaited. Security personnel along with the local people are conducting rescue operations at the accident site. Pictures and videos posted on social media platforms showed plumes of smoke rising from the accident site.
