Missing Aircraft Carrying 22 People Disappears Near Kathmandu, Nepal Tourist Site... Search Underway

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] An aircraft carrying 22 people has gone missing at a tourist site in Kathmandu, Nepal. Authorities are currently conducting a search operation with two helicopters.

According to major foreign media on the 29th, a small twin-engine aircraft 'Twin Otter' operated by the local private airline Tara Air disappeared while flying from Pokhara, a tourist city in Nepal, to Jomsom, located 80 km northwest.

The aircraft lost communication with the control tower shortly after takeoff. According to airline officials, there were 19 passengers and 3 crew members on board the missing plane. Among them, 6 were foreigners: 4 Indians and 2 Germans.

The flight time from Pokhara to Jomsom is about 15 minutes, and aircraft on this route fly through mountainous areas before landing in a valley. This area is known to be frequently visited by foreign climbers and Indian and Nepalese pilgrims heading to the Muktinath Temple in Jomsom. Although it had rained for several days before the accident, flights had been operating normally.

Currently, Nepalese authorities have dispatched two helicopters along the aircraft's flight path to conduct search operations.