A PASSENGER plane carrying 19 people has crashed and burst into flames after skidding off the runway in Nepal.
The plane reportedly failed just moments after takeoff in Kathmandu, Nepal, as onlookers rushed to help recover any survivors with five bodies recovered so far.
XThe burning wreckage was quickly surrounded by people trying to rescue those trapped inside the plane[/caption]
XThick plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky after the plane crashed[/caption]
APSmoke was seen rising from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal after the plane crashed[/caption]
Pictures show the burning wreckage at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) as thick plumes of smoke are seen flying through the sky.
The Saurya airline jet was heading from Kathmandu to the resort town of Pokhara, say Nepal Television.
Investigations into what caused the plane to skid off the runway are ongoing.
TIA spokesperson Subash Jha says initial reports point towards the flight suffering a runway excursion on takeoff.
The airport has been closed until emergency services clear the plane and recover any bodies with firefighters at the scene.