An Irish citizen is among 72 people on board a plane that has crashed in central Nepal, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.
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.
Horrifying last moments of an ATR plane crash from Nepal in Pokhara that was bound for Kathmandu. All 72 people on board are dead. pic.twitter.com/4JZIvnThPQ
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) January 15, 2023
Nepal's aviation authority says at least 40 people have died in what's believed to be the worst crash in the region in more than 30 years.
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.
