An ATR 72 aircraft operated by Nepal's Yeti Airlines carrying 72 people has crashed near an airport in central Nepal killing at least 40 people according to local authorities.
The Yeti Airlines aircraft was operating a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara an appears to have crashed whilst on approach to landing and caught fire, hampering rescue efforts, just under a mile from the airport.
In videos that have surfaced on social media appear to show the plane flying low over a built-up area before falling sideways out of control. Scores of Nepalese soldiers are reported to be involved in rescue and recovery operations at the crash site in a gorge by the Seti River.
According to Sudarshan Bartaula, a spokesperson for the carrier, there were 72 people on the ATR 72 aircraft at the time of the accident including two infants, four crew members and 10 foreign nationals.
Plane maker ATR issued a short statement, "ATR has been informed that an accident occurred in Nepal involving an ATR 72-500. Our first thoughts are with all the individuals affected by this. The ATR specialists are fully engaged to support both the investigation and the customer."
The Prime Minister called an emergency meeting earlier and the country will observe a national day of mourning tomorrow.
#YetiAirlines ATR 72 (9N-ANC) has crashed in #Nepal. There were 68 passengers and 4 cabin crew on board.#katmandu #ATR72 pic.twitter.com/vn7vSb0N2Y
— FlightMode (@FlightModeblog) January 15, 2023