15 January 2023 , 15:13
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The first victim of the devastating Nepal plane crash has been pictured.
Moscow travel blogger Elena Banduro, 33, uploaded an excited post about her trip just moments before the tragic flight came down as it approached Pokhara International Airport in the South Asian country today.
Taking an image of herself on the plane, she captioned it with "Go to Nepal" in English.
Her social media was today full of messages of condolences, and she was described as “the brightest, kindest soul we knew”.
The tragic blogger worked as a social media manager and travelled widely.
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Elena's celebratory post on social media (social media/e2w)
Crash site of a Yeti Airlines ATR72 aircraft in Pokhara, in central Nepal (BIJAYA NEUPANE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Three other Russians died on the flight, named as Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin and Viktor Lagin.
Earlier the Russian ambassador to Nepal, Alexei Novikov, confirmed the death of four compatriots 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.”
A total of 15 foreigners were among the 72 on board the stricken aircraft, including five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans and one each from Argentina and France.
The passenger list included an Irish citizen, as well as an Australian.
The blogger travelled widely in her job as a social media manager (social media/e2w)Earlier today, a distressing video showed the moment the plane lost control in mid-air just seconds before it crashed.
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 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.
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Rescue workers at the crash site in Pokhara (BIJAYA NEUPANE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Thick smoke rose from the wreckage.
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.
Her social media was today filled with messages of grief (social media/e2w)
Elena was described as “the brightest, kindest soul we knew” (social media/e2w)"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.