15 January 2023 , 09:06
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A distressing video shows the moment a plane lost control in mid-air seconds before it crashed in Nepal.
There were 72 people on board the Yeti Airlines flight, including two infants and 15 foreigners.
All were reported killed in the horror near Pokhara International Airport.
The passenger list included an Irish citizen, as well as an Australian.
Among 15 foreigners were five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans and one each from Argentina and France.
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The low-flying plane ATR-72 twin engine turboprop plane en route from Kathmandu to Pokhara was seen on the video lurching to the right and apparently overturning as it hit the ground.
The plane swoops down on a village in Nepal (Twitter)The footage filmed from a terrace included the noise of the moment of impact after the aircraft came down behind the building.
There was an explosion and huge flames at the crash site.
Thick smoke rose from the wreckage.
At least 40 died in the crash (Facebook)Reports said the aircraft crashed into forested land on the banks of the Seti Gandaki River.
It is believed there were 68 passengers and four crew on board the flight.
Dozens of corpses were pulled out of the wreckage.
Rescue workers at the scene (Facebook)"We expect to recover more bodies," said army spokesman Krishna Bhandari .
”The plane has broken into pieces.”
Flying conditions appeared good at the time the plane came down.
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14 foreign nationals were also on board (AFP via Getty Images)Russian Ambassador to Nepal Alexei Novikov confirmed the death of four Russians aboard the crashed plane.
“Unfortunately, four citizens of the Russian Federation died," he said.
"We are in constant contact with the Nepalese authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of the dead Russians."
Locals watch the wreckage and rescue of passengers from a plane that crashed in Pokhara, Nepal today (Yunish Gurung/AP/REX/Shutterstock)A South Korean embassy official said: "Two South Koreans are on the list of passengers. We are trying to confirm whether they were actually on board and their identities.”
Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said he was "deeply saddened by the sad and tragic accident."
Nepalese Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted condolences.
Emergency responders work through the debris (AFP via Getty Images)"The loss of lives in a tragic plane crash in Nepal is extremely unfortunate. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the bereaved,” said the official.
The Himalayan country, popular with tourists, has eight of the world's 14 highest mountains, including Everest.
Nepal has a record of air accidents but this was the worst for 30 years.