Sixteen passengers, including a pilot, were injured when a DHC-6 Twin Otter of Tara Air crashed during take-off at Simikot Airport in Humla on Tuesday.
Province 6 police chief AIG Rana Bahadur Chand said the plane, flying to Surkhet, attempted to take-off from the runway but failed after its tyre burst. The aircraft with call sign 9N-ABM was hurtling down the runway for take-off when the tyre burst. The aircraft finally came to rest at the Northern part of the runway. The front part of the aircraft has suffered severe damages.
Pilot Basanta Lama suffered injuries to his head in the accident. Thirteen other passengers suffered minor injuries. They are receiving treatment at Humla Hospital. The injured are being resuced by a Nepal Army chopper.
The plane was carrying 13 police personnel returning to Surket after completing election duty in Humla district.