(Updated on March 14, 2018) A very tragic moment for everyone; US-Bangla Airplane crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) yesterday at around 2 P.M. There were a total of 71 people (33 Nepalis, 32 Bangladeshis, one Chinese and one Maldivian) travelling including four crew members on board, out of which, 51 passengers died in the US-Bangla airplane crash and other injured passengers are currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Kathmandu.
According to Nepal Police Spokesperson DIG, Manoj Neupane, 12 passengers have been admitted at Kathmandu Medical College Hospital, Sinamangal, 4 at Norvic Hospital, Thapathali, 3 at Grande Hospital, Dhapasi, 1 at Om Hospital, Chabahil and 1 at Medicity, Bhainsepati.
TIA General Manager, Rajkumar Chhetri said the US-Bangla crashed at Kathmandu airport due to the missed approach. Chettri said, “The plane flew past just above the air-traffic control tower during its descent for landing. It touched the ground just next to a parked plane and plowed through a fence on the east side of the airport, and plunged into the lower ground.” He further added, “Security personnel from Nepal Army and Nepal Police rushed for rescue operation due to timely fore control alert. Had the intensity of fire I saw continued for 10 more minutes, the situation would have been even more dreadful.”
Airport officials said the Bangla plane narrowly escaped from hitting the tail of Thai Airways plane parked at the airport.
The TIA was closed for around 3 hours during the US-Bangla crash and all the other flights in and out of TIA were canceled as well following the mishap.
US-Bangla Airplane Crash at TIA. Image: Asia Insurance Post
“All of a sudden the plane shook violently and there was a loud bang,” one of the survivors, Basanta Bohora, told the Kathmandu Post daily. “I was seated near a window and was able to break out of the window.”
Another survivor, Sanam Shakya spoke up about the accident yesterday and how he managed to survive the crash. Here is a small clip:
Video Credit: Routine of Nepal Banda
The entire nation is saddened by the US-Bangla Airplane crash. Heartfelt condolences to all family members of the victims. May God give them the peace that they seek.
News Source: Kathmandu Post, The Himalayan Times
Featured Image: Sputnik International