The aircraft is said to have crashed in western Nepal. Four crew members and 68 passengers were on board at the time of the crash, the airline told AFP.
At least 40 people are said to have died in the crash, writes Reuters.
Five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, an Irishman, an Australian, a Frenchman and an Argentinian were on board at the time of the crash, airport officials told Reuters.
On the way to Pokhara
Images in local media show black smoke rising from the crash site. Hundreds of rescue workers are on their way to the scene.
The aircraft, of the model ATR 72, was on its way from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The crash is said to have happened near the airport in Pokhara, reports Online news.
Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has called an emergency cabinet meeting due to the crash, writes Reuters.
Prohibited for security reasons
The Nepali aviation industry has long been plagued by poor safety due to poor training and lack of maintenance. The EU has banned Nepalese flights in its airspace for security reasons, writes TT.
The country also has difficult-to-access airstrips and the rapidly changing weather in the mountainous landscape can create treacherous flying conditions.
