Nepal

On Monday, officials found the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the flight, both in good condition, a discovery that is likely to help investigators determine what caused the crash.

According to reports, as many as 41 bodies out of 69 recovered so far in Pokhra have been identified. Rescuers struggled to recover the remaining three bodies from the crash site due to the difficult terrain.

Anju Khatiwada, the co-pilot of the Yeti Airlines flight had lost her husband in a related incident 16 years before this tragic accident. Her husband also worked as a co-pilot for Yeti Airlines by chance. The flight was piloted by senior Captain Kamal KC and Anju served as his co-pilot, as per media reports.

At least 68 people lost their lives when the plane crashed into a river gorge while landing at the newly-opened airport in the resort city of Pokhara on Sunday in the Himalayan nation's deadliest aviation accident in over 30 years.

"Sonu and three friends travelled to Nepal on January 10. His prime purpose was to pay respect to Lord Pashupathinath as his wish to have a son, now six months old has been granted. But fate had different plans for him," said Vijay Jaiswal, Chak Jainab village head.

Built in the backdrop of the pristine Annapurna Mountain Range, the airport was officially inaugurated on January 1, 2023. The flagship project was part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. The Pokhara Regional International Airport, where a passenger plane crashed today, was inaugurated on January 1, 2023, by Nepal Prime Minister Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

The videos of the horrific crash have now gone viral on social media. In one video, the plane can be seen losing balance mid-air moments before crashing to the ground. A helicopter rescue effort is under progress, according to senior airport authorities in Nepal.

According to the Nepal Supreme Court verdict, 78-year-old Sobhraj will be sent back to his country within 15 days. The court directed authorities to arrange for Sobhraj's travel home.

Panic spread across north India due to the tremors. People rushed out of their homes, some even sharing their experiences on Twitter and posting videos. One of the videos on social media showed a chandelier shaking.

Nepal Police personnel have been mobilised and rescue work is on to search for the missing persons, he added. The number of casualties could increase, said the official, adding that Bhimdutta Highway connecting seven districts in the province was also disrupted due to the disaster.