A Turkish Airlines aircraft is seen after passengers were safely evacuated and Nepal's main airport shut down, following a fire on the jet while landing in Kathmandu, Monday, May 11, 2026.  (Photo | AP)
World

Turkish Airlines jet catches fire while landing at Nepal airport; all passengers evacuated safely

Several planes bound for Kathmandu were put on hold while officials were investigating and attempting to clear the only runway available at the airport.

Associated Press

KATHMANDU: A Turkish Airlines jet caught fire while landing at Nepal's main airport on Monday, causing no reported injuries but forcing the airport to shut down.

The flight from Istanbul landed at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport with fire and smoke on the right landing gear. Emergency crew responded and controlled the fire and passengers were safely evacuated, according to airport officials.

The airport was shut down on Monday morning.

There were 277 passengers on board the Airbus 330 jet.

Several planes bound for Kathmandu were put on hold while officials were investigating and attempting to clear the only runway available at the airport.

Nepal experiences relatively frequent plane crashes as its mountainous terrain and variable weather make flying conditions difficult.

In 2015, a Turkish Airlines jet landing in dense fog in Kathmandu skidded off a slippery runway, shutting down the airport for several days.

No injuries were reported, and the plane was later towed out of the airport and converted into a museum.

Tamil Nadu Assembly convenes today; newly elected MLAs take oath

Congress high command leans towards K C Venugopal

'Totally unacceptable': Trump rejects Iran's response to US ceasefire proposal

'Need of the hour': PM Modi pitches WFH, saving fuel, delaying gold purchases amid fears of energy crisis

From kingmaker to bystander: IUML’s post-poll isolation in Kerala

SCROLL FOR NEXT