An aircraft being operated by a private airline in Nepal went missing on Sunday with 22 people on board, Reuters reported citing airline and government officials.
The small passenger plane was enroute to Jomsom in west Nepal from the tourist town Pokhara when it went off the radar, it was reported. As per media reports four of the passengers on board were Indian nationals. Other people included 13 Nepalese nationals, 2 German nationals and 3 crew.
The aircraft lost contact with the airport tower shortly after takeoff for a 15-minute scheduled flight. There is no information on the Twin Otter aircraft and search is ongoing, Police official Ramesh Thapa was quoted by the agency.
Flights have been operating normally despite rains over the past few days in the region where planes fly between mountains before going on to land in a valley. The route is popular among foreign hikers who trek on the mountain trails, as well as Indian and Nepalese pilgrims visiting the revered Muktinath temple.
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(With inputs from agencies)
