New Delhi: Folk singer Nira Chhantyal was among the 68 passengers who died in a plane crash in Nepal on Sunday.
Nira’s sister Heera Chantyal Sherchan confirmed that she died in the accident while she was on her way to Pokhara for an event to be held on the occasion of Magh Sankranti.
Nira had also posted pictures and wishes of Magh Sankranti on Facebook. Earlier, in another status, she had shared a post saying “I should have fun in Pokhara tomorrow.”
Nepal Chantyal Youth Association was scheduled to organise men’s and women’s volleyball competition in Pokhara on Monday and Neera was set to stage a musical performance on the occasion.
As per reports, Naveen Gharti Chantyal, secretary of Nepal Chantyal Youth Union Kaski, said that the event has been called off in the light of the plane crash.
It is to be noted that the plane that crashed between the city's old and new airports in western Nepal, had 68 passengers and four crew members onboard. From Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, Yeti Airlines was flying a twin-engine ATR 72.
Among the passengers were fifteen foreigners, including six children. The airlines said in a statement that the plane had 53 Nepalis, five Indians, four Russians, two Koreans, one Argentinian, and one each from Ireland, Australia, and France.
Five Indians who were travelling on the plane have been identified as Abhisekh Kushwaha, Bishal Sharma, Anil Kumar Rajbhar, Sonu Jaiswal and Sanjaya Jaiswal, a Yeti Airlines official said, news agency PTI reported.
“Deeply saddened by crash of a plane carrying 72 passengers and crew members, including some Indians in Pokhara. We express our heartfelt condolences to families of deceased. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy,” Ambassador of Nepal to India was quoted as saying by ANI.