Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid has sent a message of condolence to the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, following the loss of lives in a tragic airplane crash in the city of Pokhara, Nepal, on 15 January 2023.

In his message, the Maldivian minister stated that it was with profound shock and sorrow that he received the news of the plane crash in Pokhara, causing the tragic loss of lives of those on board.

He went onto extend heartfelt condolences and sympathies on behalf of the Government and the people of Maldives during this time of distress.

He extended the condolences to the Prime Minister, the Government, and the people of Nepal, as well as the members of the bereaved families.

Minister Shahid concluded his message by extending assurances of his highest consideration.

The plane, on a scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, gateway to the scenic Annapurna mountain range, was carrying 57 Nepalis, five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one person each from Argentina, Ireland, Australia and France.

Local TV showed rescue workers scrambling around broken sections of the aircraft. Some of the ground near the crash site was scorched, with licks of flames visible.

The crash is Nepal's deadliest since 1992, the Aviation Safety Network database showed, when a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A300 crashed into a hillside upon approach to Kathmandu, killing all 167 people on board.