Nepal Plane Crash Live – Yeti Airlines Flight 691 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara in Nepal. On 15 January 2023, the aircraft operating the route, an ATR 72 flown by Yeti Airlines, crashed while landing at Pokhara, killing all 72 people on board.
Nepal Plane Crash Live – Yeti Airlines Flight 691 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara in Nepal. On 15 January 2023, the aircraft operating the route, an ATR 72 flown by Yeti Airlines, crashed while landing at Pokhara, killing all 72 people on board.
Yeti Airlines plane carrying more than 72 people crashes in Pokhara, Nepal. There were also five Indians, four Russians, one Irish, two South Korean, one French and one Argentinian national on-board the Yeti Airways aircraft, according to a Nepal airport official
The rescue effort is currently underway, and at least 67 people are confirmed dead, police said.
“Thirty-one (bodies) have been taken to hospitals,” police official AK Chhetri told AFP, adding that 36 other bodies were found in the gorge where the aircraft crashed.
The crash happened short of the international airport in Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city situated 200km west of the capital Kathmandu.
The airport is new having only just opened on New Year’s Day.
Horrifying footage has emerged appearing to show the final moments of the doomed passenger plane before it crashed.
The video, which has been shared on social media, shows what is reported to be the Yeti Airlines plane flying low towards what appears to be a residential building before abruptly turning 90 degrees and coming even lower to the ground.
It then disappears from view before the camera is turned towards the ground. Then there is a loud noise, followed by what sounds like screams.
Airline spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula told AFP it’s unknown if there are survivors.
“There are 68 passengers on board and four crew members,” he said.
“Rescue is underway, we don’t know right now if there are survivors.”
Hundreds of rescue workers continued to scour the site in the hope of finding someone still alive.
Mr Bartaula said the plane crashed between the old and new Pokhara airports in central Nepal.
The Yeti Airlines’ ATR-72 was 15 years old. The French/Italian aircraft type is popular around the world and is primarily used on shorter, regional routes. None are operated by Australian airlines but the ATR-72 is in service with Air New Zealand which has 29 in its fleet.
Since its introduction in 1989, the ATR-72 has been involved in 12 fatal incidents with around 400 fatalities.
The European Union has banned all Nepali carriers from its airspace over safety concerns.
The Himalayan country also has some of the world’s most remote and tricky runways, flanked by snow-capped peaks with approaches that pose a challenge even for accomplished pilots.
Aircraft operators say Nepal lacks infrastructure for accurate weather forecasts, especially in remote areas with challenging mountainous terrain where deadly crashes have taken place in the past.
The weather can also change quickly in the mountains, creating treacherous flying conditions.