As many as 68 people, including five Indians, died after a Yeti Airlines aircraft crashed in Pokhara in Nepal on Sunday. The ATR-72 Yeti Airlines flight, with 72 people onboard, was en route to Pokhara from Kathmandu, when it crashed near Pokhara Airport at 10.50 am, Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority said.
As per a notice issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the flight was carrying 72 people, including four crew members and 68 passengers. Among the 68 passengers onboard the ill-fated flight, 53 were Nepalese, five Indians, four Russians, two Koreans, one Australian, Argentinian, Irish and French each, it stated.
The Nepal government has formed a five-member commission of inquiry to probe Sunday's Yeti plane crash. The country will also observe a one-day national mourning on Monday in the wake of the Yeti Airlines crash.
The Yeti Airlines have cancelled all regular flights of the airlines for Monday, January 16.
"In mourning for the passengers who lost their livees in the accident of Yeti Airlines 9N ANC ATR 72 500, we would like to inform you that all regular flights of Yeti Airlines for January 16 have been cancelled. However, emergency and rescue flights will resume," Yeti Airlines said in a statement
Meanwhile, several leaders took to Twitter to condole the loss of lives in the plane crash.
"Pained by the tragic air crash in Nepal in which precious lives have been lost, including Indian nationals. In this hour of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted, "The loss of lives in a tragic plane crash in Nepal is extremely unfortunate. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the bereaved. Om Shanti".
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted, "Deeply grieved on hearing about the air crash in Pokhara, Nepal. Our thoughts are with the affected families".
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh also took to Twitter to express his condolence over the loss of live in the plane crash.
"Saddened by the loss of 68 lives including 5 Indian nationals in a tragic plane crash that took place at Pokhara in Nepal. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. I pray that God gives them strength in this hour of grief," CM Biren tweeted.
