An Australian man has been identified among those killed in a deadly plane crash in Nepal.
A tribute to 29-year-old Myron William Love from Sydney, casual teacher from Bronte, avid surfer, cyclist, photographer and traveler.
At least 68 people were killed when a plane operated by Nepalese airline Yeti Airlines crashed on Sunday en route from the capital Kathmandu to Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and despite reports of clear skies, the plane’s black box has been found.
The accident is the country’s deadliest since 1992, when a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A300 crashed into a hillside, killing 167 people.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed on Monday that one of the 68 passengers and four crew members was an Australian and said it was “urgently trying to ascertain the well-being of the Australian”.
The Love Family described him as a rock who always lived life to the fullest, saying, “He spent so much in his short life that most of us couldn’t fit into ours.” .
“We are deeply grateful for the incredible support our family and friends have shown us during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.
The family asks outsiders to provide “peace and privacy as we grieve and deal with this tragedy.”
A friend of Love’s said that Love was “a really kind, fun, energetic person and we will love her forever.”
Sydney based artist lesjak_atton posted on Instagram:
“Myron was one of my lifelong lovers. Now sending all my love to those who need it.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted on Monday that the crash was “incredibly sad news”.
Incredibly sad news from Nepal that a plane with many passengers has crashed.
The government is aware that an Australian was on board and urgently seeks information from the Nepalese authorities on the welfare of the passengers.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 16, 2023
Two bodies not yet recovered
Nepali authorities continued rescue operations in Pokhara on Tuesday morning, but the bodies of two of the 72 people on board have yet to be found. As of early Tuesday morning Australian time, 70 bodies were identified from the plane.
“This is very tragic and my heart goes out to all the victims and their families,” Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal Kailash Pokharel told ABC Radio National.
A police officer in Pokhara told Reuters that part of the plane fell and burst into flames as rescuers were using ropes to descend into the gorge.
Flights resumed normal services across Nepal on Tuesday.
The fateful Yeti flight was also carrying five Indians, four Russians, two Koreans and other foreign passengers, including private passengers from Argentina, Britain and France.
Nepal: one of the most dangerous places to fly
The Himalayan country is a popular destination for adventurous tourists and climbers, but its harsh weather, poor visibility and mountainous terrain make flying more dangerous than in many other regions. Since 2000, about 350 people have died in plane and helicopter accidents in Nepal.
Aviation safety network the data showed that Nepal has had 27 fatal plane crashes in the last 30 years. This equates to one case per year for him on average. Last May, a fatal crash killing 22 people occurred while a plane from Nepal’s major airline Tara Airlines was about to land in Jomsom from Pokhara.
Australia’s Smart Labeler website warned travelers of aviation safety concerns, noting a number of small plane crashes in recent years, especially during the monsoon season.
“Due to safety concerns, all airlines certified by Nepalese regulators have been banned from operating in Europe,” it said.
AAP contributed to this article.
Nina Nguyen is a reporter based in Sydney. She covers Australian news with a focus on social, cultural and identity issues. She is fluent in Vietnamese. Please contact her at [email protected]