Search for Missing Plane in Nepal Ends in Tragedy

FILE - A Twin Otter aircraft belonging to Tara Air is pictured at Tenzing Hillary Airport, in Lukla, approximately 2800 meters above sea level, in Solukhumbu district, Nepal. The missing plane was flying from Pokhara, a major tourist center located about 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, to Jomsom, a popular spot for hikers.

Authorities in Nepal say a small plane crashed Wednesday during bad weather, killing all 23 passengers and crew.

The Twin Otter aircraft, operated by domestic Tara airliners, lost contact with ground controllers during a short flight from Pokhara, a major tourist center located about 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, to Jomsom, a popular spot for mountain hikers.

Search crews found the wreckage just hours after the plane disappeared. Officials say the plane was still burning and bodies scattered across the crash site.

Two foreigners, a Chinese national and Kuwaiti citizen, were among the passengers.