No survivors in plane crash

A small passenger plane carrying 14 people, including some foreigners, to the Mount Everest region crashed into the hills outside Nepal's capital in heavy rain today, officials said.

A witness said there were no survivors, but there was no immediate word from officials on casualties.

The area's police chief, Ram Bahadur Shrestha, said the plane went down near Shikharpur village, about 50 miles south of Katmandu.

The German-built Dornier airplane was carrying 11 passengers and three crew members when bad weather forced it to try to return to Katmandu.

Rescue coordinators at the police headquarters in Katmandu said six foreigners were on board but could not give details.

Initial reports said there were 15 passengers and three crew members on board.

Mr Shrestha said rescuers were not able to reach the crash site and villagers were trying to help out.

The area has no roads and is only accessible by foot, but the route from the nearest town is blocked by a river flooded by monsoon rainfall.

Ram Bahadur Gole, a villager who witnessed the accident, told Avenues Television network there were no survivors.

He said the crash impact broke the plane into several pieces that were scattered on a hillside, and that continuing rain and flooding made many of the area's foot trails unpassable.

Five US nationals and a Japanese tourist were on board the plane.

The remaining passengers and crew were all Nepalese, said Tri Ratna Manandhar of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.