KATHMANDU, May 16: A Nepal Airlines aircraft, with 18 people on board with three crew member, crashed at Jomsom airport in Mustang district on Thursday morning, critically injuring at least five people on board .
The mishap happened when the NA-9NABO Twin Otter aircraft, which flew from Pokhara for Jomsom skidded off the runway and fell some 20 meters down into Kaligandaki River, according Laxmiraj Raj Sharma, chief district officer, Mustang.[break]
Confirming the incident, Ganesh Bahadur Chand, spokesperson for Nepal Airlines Corporation, informed that no human fatalities have been reported so far in the accident. He added that the five people who sustained critical injuries in the incident are being ferried to Pokhara via a Tara Air aircraft.
However, the Mustang district police office informed that seven people sustained critical injuries in the incident. According to DSP Bashanta Ranjitkar, two Japanese nationals and four Nepalis including three crew members are in critical condition.
Photos courteasy: Sunil Rawal/Facebook
Those seriously injured include pilot Deependra Pradhan, co-pilot Suresh KC, airhostess Shanta Maya Tamang and passengers Govinda Pahadi of Parbat and Japanese tourists S Akawa and Khawesa Chiyo. They have been sent to Pokhara for treatment by a Tara Air aircraft.
Personnel of Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and Nepalese Army and locals are carrying out rescue operation. The rest of the injured passengers are being treated at the Mustang Hospital.
Among the 18 people, 10 Nepalis and 8 Japanese including three crew members were on board. The incident took place at around 8 this morning.
Photos Courtesy: Suman Pun
Injured in the Nepal Airlines plane crash in Mustang being taken to hospital in Pokhara airport after being ferried via a Tara Air plane on Thursday. Photos:Santosh Pokhrel
An injured talks to journalists at Pokhara hospital. (Santosh Pokhrel)
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