A Twin Otter carrying 21 people went missing Wednesday while flying in a mountainous area in Nepal, authorities reportedly said. Tara Air Viking 9N-AHH Twin Otter was on an 18-minute flight when it lost contact with the control tower, the Associated Press reported.
The plane was reportedly traveling from Pokhara, 80 miles west of Kathmandu, to Jomsom, which is the starting point for trekkers going into mountainous areas. The plane was carrying 18 passengers, including two foreign nationals, and three crew members.
Search has been underway (two helicopters) for more than two hours but poor weather conditions are hampering the operations.
UPDATE Local police say no survivors found. Nepali Tourism and Aviation Minister Ananda Pokharel said a few bodies have been found but are unrecognizable.
PHOTOS Wreckage of Tara Air Twin Otter 9N-AHH crashed in Nepal (credit: Nepal Army) pic.twitter.com/ksruM3gIKI
— AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) February 24, 2016
UPDATE The missing Tara Air twin otter has been found crashed at Soli Ghoptebhir in Myagdi district. Aviation Minister Ananda Pokhrel said the plane was found crashed at a junglein jungle of Myagdi district.
Identification of 21 people on board the aircraft has been established.
Passengers:
Nepali citizens
Rewati Baral
Muktinath Baskota
Binita Bhattachan
Krishna Lal Bhattachan
Dil Kumari Gauchhan
Devejung Gurung
Fhenjock Gurung
Laxmi Hirachan
Moti Bahadur KC
Pabitra KC
Leprang Lama
Bal Krishna Neure
Kanchha Pariyar
Dolma Thshering Sherpa
Raj Kumar Tamang
Kamala Thakali
Foreigners
Maksiuying
Ralfashed Ahamed
Crew members
Captain Roshan Manandhar
Co-pilot Dikesh Nemkul
Air Hostess Roma Raut