At least 68 dead in Yeti Airlines crash at Pokhara, Nepal

Colombo (News 1st) - Rescuers have so far recovered 68 bodies from the wreckage of the Yeti Airlines plane that crashed at Pokhara, Nepal while en route from Kathmandu to Pokhara with 72 people on board.

The death toll is expected to rise further as rescuers comb through the flaming wreckage of the plane for the four missing people. The plane crashed between the city's old airport and its newer international airport. The Nepali Army is involved in rescue efforts, together with airport officials and firefighters.

The 72 on board included 4 crew and 68 passengers. The passengers were 37 men, 25 women, three children and three infants. They included 15 foreigners - 5 Indians, 4 Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Australia, Argentina, France and Ireland.

The aircraft was coming in to land at the new Pokhara International Airport, which was inaugurated just 14 days ago on January 1, 2023. The aircraft was an ATR-72 that was 15 years old. It was on a short half-hour flight from the capital to Pokhara, 130 km away.