UAE leaders send condolences to Nepalese president over plane crash victims

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of condolences to President Ramchandra Paudel of Nepal over the victims of the plane crash in Nepal.

18 people were killed when a small passenger plane belonging to Nepal's Saurya Airlines crashed and caught fire while taking off from the capital Kathmandu on Wednesday, leaving one survivor, the captain.

The 50-seater plane, carrying two crew members and 17 technicians, was heading for regular maintenance to Nepal's new Pokhara airport, which is equipped with aircraft maintenance hangars, officials said.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent similar messages to the Nepalese President.