Extreme cold weather accompanied by snowfall and rains at Tara Air crash site in at Tirkhedhunga of Dana VDC in Myagdi district hampered the rescue operations conducted jointly by Nepal Army, Nepal Police and local persons.

Aviation Minister Aananda Pokharel informed a rescue chopper could not reach the crash site due to rainfall and snowfall in the area. “We are not in a position to dispatch a chopper for rescue works. The chopper will fly to the area as soon as the weather improves,” said Minister Pokharel.

So far, the rescue team has found 17 bodies from the crash site.

The Jomsom-bound twin otter aircraft had lost contact with Pokhara air traffic control after 10 minutes of taking off from the airport. The plane was found crashed at a jungle in Soli Ghoptebhir of Myagdi district some four hours later.