The Times of India carried a video showing a live broadcast from a passenger’s account. The footage centers on Jaiswal, a passenger of Indian nationality, who was aboard an ATR 72 operated by Yeti Airlines when the aircraft went down this past Saturday. The report highlights how the video captured the moment of impact and the surrounding chaos as rescue teams began to mobilize. The incident is being treated as one of the most devastating aviation disasters in Nepal’s recent history, given that there were 72 people on board and the aftermath has unfolded with ongoing search and recovery efforts. The broadcaster’s footage has intensified discussions about airline safety and the responsibilities of operators in high-risk terrains. Attribution: Times of India.
Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority and rescue agencies resumed their work on Monday in an effort to recover the four remaining bodies, as authorities confirmed the death toll from the crash that involved 72 people on board. The disaster ranks among the worst air crashes in the Himalayan nation’s history, intensifying scrutiny of regional air travel safety standards and emergency response capabilities. Attribution: Nepal Civil Aviation Authority.
Attention: ⚠️ POWERFUL IMAGES ⚠️
Among the passengers was 35-year-old Sonu Jaiswal, who was traveling from India and documented the flight as it unfolded. The live stream, initially captured in selfie mode, transitions to show the plane, its interior, and other travelers before the feed becomes distorted as the aircraft’s descent and eventual crash unfold. The video ends with the moment just before it cuts away, accompanied by the first signs of a fire. These images sparked widespread discussion about the role of live streaming in crisis moments and the ethical considerations of broadcasting tragedies in real time. Attribution: El Dato News Morelos.
– El Dato News Morelos reported on January 15, 2023.
Jaiswal, 35, reportedly used his phone to stream the landing, with the camera initially oriented toward him and then angled toward the cabin and nearby passengers. The footage shows the passenger cabin, the exterior wing as the aircraft descended, and, in a troubling sequence, the camera being discarded from the frame as the situation worsened. As the clip deteriorates, the soundscape—engine noise and crackling—becomes the primary sensory detail, culminating in a view of flames seconds before the feed ends. These visual records have contributed to a broader discussion about safety protocols in Nepal’s aviation sector and the emotional toll on families awaiting news. Attribution: Eyewitness accounts.
According to the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, the passenger manifest included 53 Nepalese nationals, five Indians, four Russians, one Irish citizen, one Australian, one Argentine, two Koreans, and one French national. The international mix underscores the cross-border nature of regional air travel and the diverse communities affected by the tragedy. Attribution: Nepal Civil Aviation Authority.
Horrifying images circulated online as the crash was confirmed, with captions noting the severity of the blaze and the number of fatalities. The broader public response focused on questions of aviation safety, emergency preparedness, and the mechanisms through which information about such events is disseminated in real time. Attribution: Social media monitors.
Bahadur, a spokesperson for the authorities, explained that the process of returning identified victims to their families commenced on Monday after post-mortem examinations, and that the bodies would be flown to Kathmandu for final arrangements. The release of remains is a sensitive step that follows the formal confirmation of identities. Attribution: Nepalese authorities.
In the wake of the incident, the Nepalese government declared a period of national mourning to honor those who lost their lives, reflecting the gravity with which the country regards aviation tragedies and the impact on communities across Nepal. Attribution: Government of Nepal.
The crash represents the second major aviation disaster to strike Nepal within a year, following a May incident involving a Tara Air aircraft that crashed in the town of Jomsom, resulting in 22 fatalities. The recurrence of such events has prompted calls for heightened oversight and safety improvements across the sector. Attribution: Aviation safety chronicle.
The disaster has been cited in various discussions about international aviation policy, with Nepal facing scrutiny over regulatory controls and safety practices. The country has faced international sanctions in the past related to concerns about aviation oversight, and some agencies have restricted Nepalese carriers from operating in certain jurisdictions. Attribution: International aviation authorities.
Since records began in November 1960, Nepal has experienced a number of fatal aviation accidents. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal reports that more than 900 lives have been lost in such incidents, a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the country’s air transport system and the importance of stringent safety measures, robust maintenance protocols, and effective crisis response. Attribution: Nepal Civil Aviation Authority.