The ATR 72 turboprop belonged to the Nepalese airline Yeti Airlines. The plane was flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara and crashed to the ground while landing. According to eyewitnesses, before the crash, the liner lost speed and fell on its wing. They also point out that the pilot prevented the liner from crashing in the village where the busy market of Ramghat is located, by steering the car into the Seti River gorge.
Currently, more than 40 bodies of the dead have been recovered from the rubble. Rescue teams continue to work. The airport itself is closed.
According to local media, 15 foreigners from 7 countries were traveling on board, including four Russians, as well as five Indians, two South Koreans and a citizen of Ireland, Argentina, Australia and France.
The Russian ambassador to Nepal, Alexei Novikov, confirmed the presence of Russians on board the crashed plane. “Unfortunately, four citizens of the Russian Federation were killed. We are in constant contact with the Nepalese authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of the dead Russians,” the head of the diplomatic mission told TASS.
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called an emergency cabinet meeting in response to the plane crash. “Expressing regret over the accident, Prime Minister Dahal instructed the Home Ministry, security personnel and all government agencies to carry out effective rescue operations,” the country’s authorities said.
