UAE offers condolences, stands in solidarity with Nepal over victims of deadly plane crash

The United Arab Emirates has offered its condolences and expressed its solidarity with Nepal for the victims of the plane crash.

In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Nepali government, people and to the families of the victims as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

Earlier during the day, a plane making a 27-minute flight to a Nepal tourist town crashed into a gorge while attempting to land at a newly opened airport, killing at least 68 of the 72 people aboard.

At least one witness reported hearing cries for help from within the fiery wreck, the country’s deadliest airplane accident in three decades.

Hours after dark, scores of onlookers crowded around the crash site near the airport in the resort town of Pokhara as rescue workers combed the wreckage on the edge of the cliff and in the ravine below. Officials suspended the search for the four missing people overnight and planned to resume looking on Monday.

Local resident Bishnu Tiwari, who rushed to the crash site near the Seti River to help search for bodies, said the rescue efforts were hampered by thick smoke and a raging fire.

"The flames were so hot that we couldn’t go near the wreckage. I heard a man crying for help, but because of the flames and smoke we couldn’t help him,” Tiwari said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the accident, Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority said.