18 killed as plane crashes after takeoff at Kathmandu airport

Kathmandu, NT Bureau: A Nepalese airliner crashed and caught fire shortly after taking off from the Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, killing 18 people aboard, including a child, and seriously injuring the pilot - the lone survivor, in the latest aviation disaster to hit the Himalayan nation.

The Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft of Saurya Airlines, carrying 19 people, including two crew members and technical staff of the airline, was bound for Pokhara International Airport for regular maintenance service when the accident occurred.

"Shortly after takeoff from runway 02, the aircraft veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway," said a statement issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.