Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has instructed the concerned authorities to take immediate steps to prevent tragic incidents like the recent plane crash involving Saurya Airlines. The government has established a five-member commission to investigate the crash that occurred this morning.

During a visit to the rescue coordination center of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Prime Minister Oli emphasized the need for thorough investigations to determine whether human error or technical issues caused the crash. He stressed the importance of preventing similar incidents in the future.

Prime Minister Oli was accompanied by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, and acting Chief Secretary Leela Devi Gadtaula. The crash, which involved a Pokhara-bound Saurya Airlines aircraft, resulted in the deaths of 18 people. Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, the sole survivor, was seriously injured and is currently receiving treatment at Kathmandu Medical College (KMC) in Sinamangal.

The Prime Minister visited Captain Shakya at the hospital to inquire about his condition and spoke with the doctors and family members involved in his care.

In response to the crash, an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers was held, leading to the formation of a commission headed by Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, former Director General of CAAN. The commission includes Captain Dipuraj Jwarchan of Nepal Airlines Corporation, Professor Kuldeep Bhattarai of Pulchok Campus, Engineer Sanjay Adhikari of Shree Airlines, and Mukesh Dangol, an Air Traffic Controller officer under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, who will serve as the member-secretary. The commission has been given 45 days to investigate and submit a report.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvisubba Gurung announced that the government will implement mandatory technical tests for all domestic and foreign aircraft operating in the country, with CAAN closely monitoring these tests to prevent future air crashes. Additionally, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on Thursday to mourn the victims of the crash.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has released the names of those killed in the tragedy: Amit Man Maharjan, Sagar Acharya (Safety Chief), Ashwin Niraula (CAMO Manager), Dilip Verma (QA Chief), Yagya Prasad Paudel, Sushant Katuwal (Co-pilot), Sudip Lal Joshi, Sarvesh Marasini, Shyam Bindukar, Navaraj Ale, Rajaram Acharya, Prija Acharya, Adhiraj Sharma, Uddhab Puri, Manuraj Sharma, Santosh Mahato, Punya Ratna Shahi, and Aref Reda (a Yemeni national).

The aircraft was conducting a regular technical test flight when the accident occurred shortly after take-off from TIA.