In a tragic aviation incident, a small passenger plane crashed in Nepal's mountainous region, claiming the lives of 18 passengers on board. The pilot miraculously survived the crash, making him the sole survivor of the devastating accident.

According to airport security chief Arjun Chand Thakuri, the aircraft, operated by regional airline Saurya Airlines, was en route to Pokhara City carrying two crew members and seventeen technicians for maintenance checks.

The main hub for both domestic and international flights in Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport, has been closed while rescue personnel carry out their duties. Even though Kathmandu experienced monsoon season, it was not raining when the incident occurred, yet visibility was poor around the city.

The safety record of Nepal's aviation has come under intense examination in the last few years. A Bangladeshi airplane crashed at Tribhuvan airport in 2019, leaving 20 people alive and 51 dead. According to an inquiry, the pilot was confused and trying to land the aircraft in "sheer desperation" while the plane was not aligned with the runway.