At Least 11 Killed In Plane Crash In Nepal

Jomsom is a popular area for trekkers near the Annapurna mountain range (photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg)

 Monday May 14, 2012

At least 11 people have been killed after a plane carrying 21 people crashed while trying to land in the Himalayas in northern Nepal, police say.

Police spokesman Binod Singh said the Agni Air plane crashed into a hill near Jomsom, a popular area for trekkers near the Annapurna mountain range.
"Seven men and four women have been killed," he said.
Mr Singh said there were six survivors, including two children, who had been rescued.
"The plane was about to land at Jomsom Airport. It hit a muddy slope and the plane is now buried in the side of the hill," he said.
Mr Singh said the aircraft had been carrying 18 passengers and three crew members.
Police official Nareswor Aryal said the plane was carrying two pilots and a flight attendant - all Nepalese - along with 16 Indians and two Westerners.
He could not immediately say where the Westerners were from.
Laxmi Raj Sharma, chief government administrator in the area, said initial investigations showed the plane might have suffered technical problems.
Jomsom Airport is a gateway to a popular trekking destination, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) north west of the capital, Kathmandu.


.Culled from Skynews