KATHMANDU, Nepal — The pilot of a crashed plane was the sole survivor of a deadly accident that claimed the lives of 18 people, Nepalese police announced on Wednesday. A photograph released by authorities shows the pilot being rescued from the wreckage.
The plane, operated by Saurya Airlines, crashed and caught fire shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu. According to officials, the aircraft was en route to Pokhara for maintenance checks, carrying two crew members and 17 technicians.
Satellite images and corroborating footage from the mountainous terrain confirm the location of the crash. The wreckage drew rescuers, officials, and media to the scene, where they gathered around the burning remains of the aircraft.
Saurya Airlines, a domestic carrier in Nepal, operates two Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jets, both approximately 20 years old, according to FlightRadar24.
Nepal has a troubling air safety record. The country experienced its deadliest aviation disaster in 1992 when a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus crashed into a hillside while approaching Kathmandu, resulting in 167 fatalities.
