KATHMANDU, Nepal-A Jomsom bound aircraft from Pokhara, belonging to Nepal Airlines has crashed in Mustang, some 200 kilometers northwest of Katmandu on Thursday morning. The plane met the crash while it skidded of the runway and fell into Kali Gandaki River, this morning around 8 am.
Eighteen passengers including eight Japanese tourists along with three crew members were on the board. Five peoples including two Japanese and pilot Deependra Pradhan are critically injured in the accident.
Japanese tourist duo S Akawa and Khawesa Chiyo, Co-pilot Suresh KC, Airhostess Santa Maya Tamang and passengers Govinda Pahadi have sustained critical injuries, reports said. They are receiving treatment at various hospitals after airlifted to Pokhara.
Other injured have been identified as Dilliram Panta, Madhu Panta , Niru Lakpa Sherpa, Uma Thapa Magar, Santosh BK, Pema Gurung, GR Thakuri, K Gurung, AL Sherpa and two-year old Hemsung.
The injured have been undergoing treatment in a local hospital in Mustang. Nepal army and Nepal Police have stepped up the rescue operation. The crash was likely caused by sudden blow of wind, it is reported.
Fifteen people were killed when a plane crashed while attempting to land at the same airport, last May.