Turkish Airlines Plane Catches Fire During Landing in Nepal

A Turkish Airlines plane caught fire while landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday morning, but all 278 passengers and 11 crew members were safely evacuated. The flight, with call sign TK726, was en route from Istanbul to Kathmandu when the right tyres caught fire during landing, triggering an evacuation and rescue operation.

The passengers, including some United Nations officials, were evacuated using emergency doors, and firefighters quickly doused the blaze. According to SP Rajkumar Silawal from airport security, the fire was contained using a fire engine, and all passengers were safely evacuated.

A video circulating on social media showed fire on the right landing gear of the aircraft, sending a thick plume of grey smoke. No official statement or announcement has been made by the airport or the airline company over the incident, and the reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertained.

The incident is not the first involving Turkish Airlines at Tribhuvan International Airport, as a similar incident occurred in 2015 when an aircraft skidded off the runway and veered onto the grassy shoulder during landing.

The airport authorities and Turkish Airlines are expected to investigate the incident and provide further updates in the coming days. The airport will resume normal operations, and an official statement is expected to be released soon.