[güttsfükk]

A small plane crashed near a treacherous high-altitude airport in northern Nepal yesterday, killing 15 people while six others miraculously survived, police said.

A tragic incident unfolded as an aircraft operated by local carrier Agni Air crashed just outside Jomsom airport, a crucial gateway to the picturesque Annapurna mountain range. The crash occurred shortly after the pilot had reported a technical fault. Police spokesman Binod Singh confirmed the devastating toll, stating, "Fifteen people have been killed, thirteen of them were Indian tourists, and the other two were Nepali pilots."

Miraculously, six individuals survived the crash, including a Nepali air hostess and an Indian man who sustained head injuries. Two Danish nationals, both trekkers in their early 30s, were also rescued and are receiving medical care in Pokhara, situated 60 kilometers from Jomsom.

Basanta Dawadi, a representative of the Pokhara tourism council, recounted the survivors' harrowing experience. According to them, the plane was preparing to land when it unexpectedly ascended, making contact with an object with its left wing. This collision caused the aircraft to roll and ultimately crash. The emergency door opened, allowing them to crawl out. They mentioned losing consciousness before being rescued.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu reported that two Indian children, aged nine and six, were found alive in the wreckage. Their injuries were not detailed, but they were promptly transported to a hospital. This group of Indian tourists had chartered the flight from Pokhara for a pilgrimage to Muktinath, a sacred site for Hindus and Buddhists nestled at the base of the Thorong La pass in the Himalayas.

Rescue efforts were facilitated by the proximity of a Nepal army barracks to the crash site. Dozens of army and police personnel meticulously combed the steep hillside where the plane had come to rest, sifting through debris and personal belongings.

The head of Nepal's national rescue department, Bimlesh Lal Karna, disclosed that the pilot had reported a warning light in the cockpit as the aircraft descended toward Jomsom. In a last-minute communication with air traffic control, the pilot had indicated his intention to divert back to Pokhara before the crash occurred.

Nepal's Prime Minister, Baburam Bhattarai, expressed his deep sadness over the tragedy, extending condolences to the grieving families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured.

This unfortunate incident marked the second fatal air accident for Agni Air in less than two years. In August 2010, one of its planes crashed in adverse weather conditions near Kathmandu, claiming the lives of all 14 people on board, including Americans, a Japanese national, and a British citizen.

The series of aviation accidents in Nepal, with this being the fifth in less than two years, raises concerns and will likely prompt closer scrutiny of the country's numerous small airlines, vital for connecting remote regions. Jomsom Airport, located at an elevation of 2,707 meters, has earned a reputation as one of the world's most challenging airfields due to its mountainous surroundings.

[Sharon]

How awful They seriously have to review their air travel right enough!

[Warnebald]

Incredible anyone got out!

[Rusty666]

[Rachee]

Holy shit! I'm scared of those little planes!

[ohnougotme]

Originally Posted by Rachee ↗

Holy shit! I'm scared of those little planes!

If we can drop tanks with a parachute attached from a airplane,why can we not ahave a parachute attached to all these little planes. In the event that the plane is encountering a possible crash landing, then we just employ the parachute to break the fall and may god help us! Just a thought, as with most things i'm sure its a money issue.

[khathryn]

Amazing that ANYONE survived that. Also amazing that those bodies were in such good shape.

[kellyhound]

read about the friday plane crash the plane hit a bird.

A plane carrying tourists and others to a staging point for Mount Everest expeditions crashed Friday after striking an eagle on takeoff, killing all 19 people aboard.

May 15.The Danish foreign ministry in Copenhagen said two Danes had also been rescued and were being treated in the city of Pokhara.

Good thing ;)

[vicksvaporub]

[thissmallfish]

Originally Posted by ohnougotme ↗

If we can drop tanks with a parachute attached from a airplane,why can we not ahave a parachute attached to all these little planes. In the event that the plane is encountering a possible crash landing, then we just employ the parachute to break the fall and may god help us! Just a thought, as with most things i'm sure its a money issue.

Nice idea, but successful use of a parachute requires it to be deployed early. Since the majority of light aircraft crash just after take off or just before landing they're at a relatively low altitude. Couple that with hitting a hillside (decreasing apparent altitude further) and the parachute's weight would be more of a hindrance than a help.