An Irish citizen is amongst the 72 people that were on on board a plane that has crashed in central Nepal.
Rescue teams are working through the wreckage of the crash, which has killed at least 68 people as of Sunday morning Irish time.
An Irish passenger’s believed to be one of 72 people on board, and the Department of Foreign Affairs says it’s standing ready to provide consular assistance if needed.
Hundreds of rescue workers are currently scouring the hillside crash site, where thick black smoke surrounds the wreckage.
The small twin-engine plane operated by Yeti Airlines was on its way to the capital, Kathmandu, when it got into difficulty over western Pokhara.
A spokesperson’s told the Reuters news agency that the aircraft ‘broke into pieces’ – and they’re expecting to find more bodies.
Another Video.. Plane crash in #Nepal…. A #Yeti Air ATR72 aircraft flying to #Pokhara from #Kathmandu has crashed, Aircraft had 68 passengers pic.twitter.com/kYsFdu4VyT
— Jaya Mishra (@anchorjaya) January 15, 2023
Footage online shows billowing black smoke coming from the site near Pokhara International Airport.
Air accidents are not uncommon in Nepal, which is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Everest.
Main image shows the plane moments before it crashed into the airport.
