Plane crash in Nepal kills 18; only pilot survives

The plane, carrying 19 people including crew and technicians, was headed to Pokhara to conduct repairs on another aircraft. 

"Only the pilot survived the crash and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital," said Tribhuvan International Airport spokesperson Tej Bahadur Poudyal.

Footage showed emergency crews battling the flames and thick smoke billowing from the wreckage. The plane was identified as a Bombardier belonging to Saurya Airlines. The airport was temporarily closed following the incident.

Nepal has a history of air safety concerns.  This crash follows a January 2023 Yeti Airlines incident that claimed 72 lives and was attributed to pilot error.  Since 2000, nearly 350 people have died in plane and helicopter crashes in the Himalayan nation. (ILKHA)