A Sita Air aircraft bound to Lukla from Kathmandu crashed on the bank of Manohara River in Bhaktapur on Friday morning, killing all19 people, including three crew members, on board.

According to deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Narayan Bastola of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), the most of the passengers include foreign nationals. The mishap occurred at around 6:20 am.

The Dornier  aircraft met with accident moments after it took off from the airport. A TIA official said the aircraft caught fire after being hit by a flying bird. An investigation into the cause of the crash is on.

Three crew members so far have been identified as Captain Bijaya Tandukar, Co-Captain T. Thapa and airhostess Roja Shakya. Identities of the passengers are yet to be ascertained.

Source: Myrepublica