Nepal Plane Crash: Pilot Sole Survivor Among 18 Fatalities

Pilot Only Survivor in Nepal Plane Crash that Kills 18

A tragic plane crash in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, has claimed the lives of at least 18 people after the aircraft caught fire while taking off on Wednesday. The pilot, currently receiving treatment in the hospital, is the sole survivor of the accident.

The Saurya Airlines test flight carried 19 individuals, including technical staff and two crew members, when it crashed. Nepal’s aviation sector is known for its poor safety record, which has been linked to various factors, including unpredictable weather and lax regulations.

The ill-fated flight was en route to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination. Videos circulating online showed the plane engulfed in flames and smoke, with fire engines and ambulances swiftly responding to the scene.

According to the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority’s search and rescue coordination center, the incident occurred at around 11:15 local time (05:30 GMT), mere minutes after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport. The plane reportedly "turned right and crashed on the east side of the runway." The authority confirmed that the fire was quickly controlled and rescue operations commenced immediately.

Eighteen bodies have been recovered, with the lone survivor being transported to the hospital. Among the deceased, 17 are Nepali nationals, and one is Yemeni.

Airport chief Jagannath Niraula stated to BBC Nepali that the accident occurred almost immediately after the plane left the ground. However, the cause of the crash remains undetermined. Nepali police spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki also confirmed the fatalities to BBC Nepali. An airport official mentioned hearing "some cracking noises" from the aircraft.

Nepal’s air safety record has faced criticism. In January 2023, a Yeti Airlines crash killed at least 72 people, attributed to the pilots mistakenly cutting the power, marking the deadliest air crash in Nepal since 1992 when a Pakistan International Airlines plane crash killed all 167 aboard while approaching Kathmandu Airport.

Saurya Airlines operates flights to five destinations within Nepal with a fleet of three Bombardier CRJ-200 jets, according to the company’s website.

Severed Leg of Australian Surfer Found After Shark Attack: Doctors Assess Reattachment

Australian Surfer's Severed Leg Discovered After Shark Attack

A surfer’s severed leg has washed ashore on an Australian beach following a shark attack, with medical professionals now racing to determine if it can be reattached. Kai McKenzie, 23, was surfing near Port Macquarie in New South Wales (NSW) on Tuesday when a 3-meter (9.8-foot) great white shark attacked him.

McKenzie managed to ride a wave back to shore, where an off-duty police officer applied a makeshift tourniquet to control the bleeding. Authorities confirmed that his leg washed up shortly after the incident and was preserved on ice by locals before being taken to the hospital. A medical team is now evaluating surgical options for reattachment.

Emergency services have reported that McKenzie, an amateur pro-surfer, is in a serious but stable condition. They praised the off-duty officer for his quick actions. “He used his dog’s lead as a tourniquet, which essentially saved McKenzie’s life until paramedics arrived,” said Kirran Mowbray from NSW Ambulance. She described McKenzie as “calm” and “able to talk” after the attack, commending his bravery and courage.

McKenzie was initially taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, a major trauma center in Newcastle, located 200 km (124 miles) away. His severed leg was also transported to the trauma center.

Local media reports indicate that McKenzie had only recently returned to surfing after recovering from a significant neck injury that had kept him out of the water. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover McKenzie’s medical and rehabilitation expenses, raising over A$75,000 ($49,000; £38,000) as of Wednesday.

Although Australia has a high number of shark attacks, second only to the US, fatal attacks are relatively rare.

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Climate Activists Ground Flights at Cologne Airport: Runway Blockade Causes Major Disruptions

Flights Halted as Climate Protesters Block Cologne Airport Runway

One of Germany's major regional airports, Cologne-Bonn, has suspended all flights after climate activists glued themselves to the runway. The airport reported that "unauthorized people" accessed the airfield on Wednesday morning, prompting police intervention and halting flight operations.

Cologne Bonn Airport said flight operations have been suspended because of a police operation on the runway

Inbound flights have been redirected to nearby airports, including Düsseldorf, Hahn, Nuremberg, and Hannover. Numerous departing flights from Cologne have faced delays or cancellations. The airport has issued a warning about "significant disruption" and advised passengers to check their flight status before traveling.

The activist group Last Generation claimed responsibility for the protest, stating that five individuals glued themselves to the tarmac to block air traffic. Photos shared by the group showed members with their hands glued to the runway, although police later removed three of the five protesters. Last Generation is advocating for the German government to pursue a global agreement to phase out oil, gas, and coal by 2030. They announced plans for similar peaceful, civil protests at airports across Europe and North America on Wednesday.

In Finland, protesters were seen blocking security gates at Helsinki Vantaa Airport, while in Norway, three activists breached the perimeter fence at Oslo's main Gardermoen Airport but were removed within 30 minutes.

Cologne-Bonn ranks as Germany's sixth-busiest airport, following Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Berlin Brandenburg, Munich, and Frankfurt. This incident is not isolated; in May, Munich Airport was shut down for two hours after six climate protesters glued themselves to a runway, resulting in 11 flight diversions and approximately 60 cancellations. Following that disruption, Germany's Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, stated that security measures at Munich Airport would be reviewed.

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''How Does Your City’s Heat Compare Globally? Analyzing Two Decades of Climate Data"

 Comparing Your City's Temperature with Global Data

Al Jazeera has analyzed 20 years of climate data from over 1,200 cities worldwide, and the findings are revealing. According to preliminary data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, July 21 marked the hottest day ever recorded globally, with an average temperature of 17.09°C (62.76°F).

Earlier in the month, the National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA) reported that last month was the hottest June on record since global record-keeping began in 1850. June 2024 not only set a new high but also marked the 13th consecutive month of global heat records being broken. Heatwaves are becoming more common, with cities experiencing more days exceeding 50°C (122°F).

So, where are the hottest temperatures recorded, and how does your city stack up against others worldwide?

In the following infographic series, Al Jazeera ranks the highest temperatures recorded in more than 1,200 cities between 2004 and 2023.

Where do you think your city stands in this ranking?

If you have never felt temperatures of 50°C (122°F) or even 40°C (104°F), it can be hard to imagine just how extreme that heat feels. Among the 1,283 cities analyzed, 585 recorded a maximum temperature above 40°C (104°F), with 19 reaching at least 50°C (122°F).

So, where does your city fall in this global heat ranking?

Israel War on Gaza: Fierce Battles, Humanitarian Crisis, and Global Reactions

 

Intense Fighting in Khan Younis and Bureij

In the latest ground assault by the Israeli military in Khan Younis, at least 89 Palestinians have been killed and 250 others injured. The area is witnessing intense resistance from Palestinian fighters. Approximately 150,000 residents of Khan Younis were forced to flee within a day, many receiving only minutes of warning before evacuating to areas with minimal infrastructure.

In Washington, DC, hundreds of protesters were arrested ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the US Congress. Netanyahu, who faces potential war crimes charges from the ICC, is also scheduled to meet President Biden, and presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

The ongoing war massacre from israil on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 39,090 people and injuries to 90,147 in Gaza. The death toll in Israel from the October 7 Hamas-led attacks stands at approximately 1,139, with many still held captive in Gaza.

UK Charity Condemns Child Casualties

A Palestinian boy hugs a pair of shoes as he cries while killed members of a family are brought for burial, outside Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis [Bashar Taleb/AFP]

Save the Children reports that at least 24 children are among the over 80 people killed by Israeli forces in a single day in Khan Younis. Jeremy Stoner, the charity’s regional director for the Middle East, expressed outrage over the disproportionate massacre against Palestinian children, emphasizing the inhumane conditions and extreme stress faced by survivors. According to the UN, child casualties have increased by nearly 250 percent since the war began.

Violence in the Occupied West Bank

Israeli forces have killed three Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. A customs officer was shot in Tubas, while a man was shot and another run over during a raid on the Qalandiya refugee camp. Additionally, a 13-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries after being shot in Tulkarem on July 11. Since the start of the conflict, mass arrests, raids, and killings have become a daily occurrence in the West Bank. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that at least 513 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 7.