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A folk singer, a Russian travel blogger, and an Argentine hotelier are among the 68 who died in the Nepal plane crash

• At least 68 people died on Sunday in a plane crash near Pokhara, Nepal.
• The victims include a Nepali folk singer, an Argentine hotelier, and a Russian travel blogger.
• Some of them made social media posts less than an hour before the deadly crash occurred.

At least 68 passengers died in a plane crash on Sunday in central Nepal, and information is beginning to emerge about who they were.

The flight, run by Nepali carrier Yeti Airlines, crashed near Pokhara airport at around 10:50 a.m., Reuters reported. It was only meant to last 30 minutes.

Four crew and 68 passengers were on board the ATR 72 plane. Among the dead were a Nepali folk singer, a Russian travel blogger, and an Argentine hotelier. 

Nepali folk singer Nira Chhantyal

Nira Chhantyal, the folk singer, was traveling to Pokhara to perform at an event on Monday, according to her Facebook page.

She had 125,100 followers on Tiktok , where she posted videos of herself singing, dancing and lip syncing to songs in Nepali. 

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She posted a celebratory greeting for the Nepali festival of Maghe Sankranti on Facebook on Sunday, less than an hour before the crash.

On Saturday, Chhantyal posted a series of photos of her singing and posing at a community event in Kathmandu. "Now we enjoy Pokhara tomorrow," she wrote.

Russian travel blogger Elena Banduro

Elena Banduro, a 33-year-old travel blogger, posted a selfie of herself on a plane with the caption: "Go to Nepal!" before the plane went down, according to the British news site Metro. 

She worked as a social-media manager for a software company, according to her Facebook page . She documented her travels in Russia, Europe, and Asia on her Instagram page and her blog.

Banduro was one of four Russians in the crash. The Russian ambassador to Nepal, Alexei Novikov, confirmed that all four Russian had died, according to the state-run TASS news agency.

Argentine hotelier Jannet Palavecino 

Jannet Palavecino was the manager of the Hotel Suizo in Neuquen city, according to her Facebook page. Her page described her as a lover of cycling, mountains, gardening, and painting.

Palavecino was 57, according to Argentine newspaper Clarin.

The governor of Neuquen province, Omar Gutierrez, tweeted his condolences for Palavecino's passing on Sunday. "We will miss you and always keep you in our memory," he wrote.

Neuquen's local soccer club, Atletico Pacifico, wrote on Facebook that Palavecino was the sister of its former president, Omar Palavecino.

"From the football subcommission, we send our condolences to Omar and family and we accompany them in this difficult time," wrote the club.

• Main content

Nepal plane crash victims include traditional folk singer, travel blogger, ballet dancer

As  tributes pour in for Sydney teacher Myron Love , who died in a plane crash in Nepal on Sunday , friends and relatives of other victims from across the globe are similarly paying respects to their loved ones, including a Nepali folk singer, a Russian travel blogger and a British ballet dancer.

Key points:

• A Yeti Airlines plane crash in Nepal on Sunday killed 72 and left no survivors, authorities said
• Among the dead were an Australian teacher, a Nepali folk singer, a British ballet dancer and a Russian travel blogger
• Nearly 350 people have died in plane or helicopter crashes in Nepal since 2000

WARNING: This story contains content that some readers may find distressing.

Seventy-two people, including four Nepali crew members and 15 foreign passengers, died when a Yeti Airlines ART72-500 plane flying out of Kathmandu crashed on a hillside near Pokhara, a tourist city below the Annapurna Range.

Authorities have since recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders from the wreckage, and hope the data contained in them will help investigators determine why the aircraft appeared to suddenly bank to the left as it approached the Pokhara International Airport for landing.

Nepali officials have released the passenger register for the flight, although some of the identities of those believed to be on board are yet to be confirmed.

Nepali victims include folk singer, co-pilot

Among the confirmed Nepali victims of the crash was folk singer Nira Chhantyalm, who was travelling to Pokhara to perform the following day.

She was known for combining traditional Nepali music with modern social media trends like lip-syncing, gaining her more than 100,000 followers on her TikTok account .

She posted a message on Facebook celebrating the Nepali festival of Maghe Sankranti less than an hour before the crash.

Among the Nepalese dead was co-pilot Anju Khatiwada, 44, whose husband died in a Yeti Airlines crash in Jumla, Nepal, in 2006.

An airline spokesman told Reuters she had obtained her pilot training in the United States using the insurance money from her husband's death, and had more than 6,400 hours of flying time.

Ms Khatiwada's remains have not been recovered, the spokesman said.

A relative and close friend of her father's told The New York Times her father had asked her not to choose the profession of her husband following his death, but she was determined to follow in his footsteps.

Adventurers among foreign crash dead

Aside from the Australian, Mr Love, the foreigners travelling on the flight included five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and solo passengers from Argentina, the United Kingdom and France.

The Briton was identified as Ruan Crighton, a physiotherapy student and talented ballet dancer from Essex, who had danced with the Slovak National Theatre and the Finnish National Opera and Ballet.

The passenger register described him as Irish, but Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed he was travelling on a UK passport.

He died just one day after celebrating his 34th birthday.

Russian travel blogger Elena Banduro, 33, was also confirmed as having died in the crash, along with fellow Russian nationals Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin and Viktor Lagin.

Ms Banduro was a social media manager from Moscow who posted upbeat messages about her travels across Asia and Europe on her blog and Instagram account.

She posted a selfie from her seat on the plane before take-off, accompanied by a picture of a Himalayan peak and the caption "Go to Nepal!"

Friends and relatives spoke of their disbelief at the news of the crash, with one describing her as the "kindest soul".

Russian media outlet Komsomolskaya Pravda reported Ms Banduro had recently told friends and family she was three months pregnant.

Also among the confirmed dead was Argentinian Jannet Palavecino.

The 57-year-old was the manager of the Hotel Suizo in Neuquen, Argentina, and was due to be a grandmother for the first time next month.

A passionate mountain climber, she was in Nepal with a group of friends and had already visited climbing hotspots including Mount Everest and the Khumbu Glacier before making her way to Pokhara.

Neuquen's governor confirmed Jannet's death on his Twitter account, while her sister-in-law, Marga Bello, posted a picture of her smiling on a rock to Facebook accompanied by an emotional farewell.

"This is how I'm going to remember you Janecita. Loving life with your kids and happy at the highest of mountains," Ms Bello wrote.

"I will always remember you with tremendous admiration."

One of the Indian passengers, Sonu Jaiswal, was travelling to Pokhara with friends to visit a Hindu shrine.

He was live streaming the plane's landing on Facebook when the crash took place.

The two Korean victims are believed to have been a father in his 40s with the surname Yu and his teenaged son, according to flight records.

Their bodies were identified based on their belongings.

A timeline of Nepal's deadly aircraft crashes

Nearly 350 people have died in plane or helicopter crashes in Nepal since 2000.

Here's a timeline of those crashes, compiled by Reuters News Agency: 

• May 29, 2022:  Sixteen Nepalis, four Indians and two Germans died on a De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft that crashed 15 minutes after taking off from Pokhara, 125km west of Kathmandu. Operated by Yeti unit Tara Air, the aircraft made its first flight in April 1979, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24
• February 27, 2019: A helicopter crashed in bad weather in eastern Nepal, killing all seven people on board, including the tourism minister
• March 12, 2018:  Fifty-one of 71 people on a Bangladeshi airliner operated by US-Bangla Airlines died when it crashed in cloudy weather as it came in to land at the Nepalese capital's hill-ringed airport. It was a Bombardier Q400 series aircraft.
• February 26, 2016: Two people were feared dead after a small plane crashed in western Nepal's Kalikot district. It was operated by Kasthamandap Airlines
• February 24, 2016:  A small plane crashed in bad weather, killing all 23 people on board. The Twin Otter aircraft, operated by Tara Air, was on a flight from Pokhara
• February 16, 2014:  All 18 people on a small plane that crashed in bad weather were killed. The Twin Otter aircraft was operated by state-run Nepal Airlines Corp
• September 28, 2012: A small propeller-driven Dornier aircraft struck a bird and crashed shortly after take-off from Kathmandu, killing 19 people, including seven British and five Chinese passengers
• September 25, 2011 : A small plane carrying foreign tourists to view Mount Everest crashed in bad weather near Kathmandu, killing all 19 people on board. The Beech aircraft was operated by private airline Buddha Air
• December 16, 2010: A small plane crashed in the Himalayan foothills of remote east Nepal, killing all 22 people onboard. The Twin Otter aircraft was operated by Tara Air
• August 24, 2010: Fourteen people — including four Americans, a Japanese and British national — were killed when their small plane crashed in bad weather in Nepal. It was operated by privately held Agni Air
• October 8, 2008: A small Twin Otter plane crashed in the remote mountains of north-east Nepal, killing at least 18 people, mostly foreigners
• March 4, 2008: Four UN arms monitors were among at least 10 people killed in a helicopter crash in Nepal
• June 21, 2006: A Twin Otter passenger plane operated by Yeti Airlines crashed minutes before landing in the west of the country, killing all nine people onboard
• May 25, 2004: A Twin Otter cargo plane crashed in the Mount Everest region, killing its three crew. It was operated by Yeti Airlines 
• August 22, 2002: Another Twin Otter plane, carrying foreign tourists, slammed into a mountain in bad weather in Nepal, killing all 18 people on board. It was operated by Shangrila Air
• July 17, 2002: Four people were feared dead after a twin-engined aircraft crashed into a mountain in west Nepal minutes before it was due to land
• July 27, 2000:  A Canadian-built Twin Otter passenger plane crashed in western Nepal, killing all 25 people on board. It was operated by state-owned Royal Nepal Airlines

ABC/Reuters

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Who Was Elena Banduro? Russian Travel Blogger Posted Chilling Final Selfie Moments Before ATR 72 Yeti Flight Crashed in Nepal Killing 68 On Board

She took a selfie on the flight and posted it with the caption: 'go to nepal' minutes before the plane crashed..

• By R. Ghosh Updated January 17, 2023 01:44 +08

Banduro posted excitedly about her latest trip showing her on a plane with the message in English: "Go to Nepal" before being killed in the tragic accident. Shocking videos of the horrific crash have emerged that capture the final moments from both inside and outside before the Yeti Airlines plane crashed on the ground, killing everyone on board.

Tragic Death

Banduro was enjoying her trip to Nepal and suggested to his followers online to visit the country, only to die in a horrific plane crash. She took a selfie on the flight and posted it with the caption: 'Go to Nepal' minutes before the plane crashed.

On Sunday, her social media was flooded with condolence comments, and some referred to her as "the brightest, kindest soul we knew."

The tragic blogger had a job managing social media and had traveled extensively. Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin, and Viktor Lagin were three other Russians who died on the flight.

There were 72 passengers on the ill-fated flight, including a total of 15 foreign nationals.

Alexei Novikov, the Russian ambassador to Nepal, earlier confirmed that four Russian citizens on board the crashed jet died in the crash. "Unfortunately, four citizens of the Russian Federation died," he said.

"We are in constant contact with the Nepalese authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of the dead Russians."

This came as one of the passengers on board the ill-fated plane appeared to have live-streamed the final moments on Facebook Live. The video, which was allegedly captured by an Indian man by the name of Sonu Jaiswal, appears to show passengers grinning as the jet passes over buildings.

The Yeti Airlines logo can be seen over Jaiswal's shoulder, and there is also an advertisement for Nepalese insurance on the tray of the aircraft.

Suddenly there is an explosion and the screen goes topsy-turvy. The final few seconds show a horrifying fire outside the window and cries of distraught passengers can be heard. The phone kept on recording even as the plane was engulfed in flames.

Tragedy Strikes Mid-Air

Jaiswal's phone was recovered from the debris at the site of the crash. Jaiswal was one of the five Indians killed in the fatal crash, who live streamed the video on Facebook Live.

Although the veracity of the video has not independently verified, the Times of India claims to have spoken to Jaiswal's cousin, who confirmed the 29-year-old was on the aircraft. According to the investigation, just before the collision, one of Jaiswal's companions—all three of whom were also Indians — shouted, "It's real fun!"

Jaiswal was broadcasting on Facebook Live after boarding the plane for Pokhara, according to his cousin Rajat Jaiswal, who was quoted in the report. "Sonu was on Facebook live after boarding the flight for Pokhara. The live-streaming showed that Sonu and his companions were in a happy mood but all of a sudden flames appeared before the streaming stopped."

Another dramatic video doing the rounds on social media captures the flight's progress from the ground as it started landing before bursting into flames. According to reports, the jet then abruptly tipped to the left, spun upside down, and erupted into a ball of fire.

The crash involved a twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft operated by Yeti Airlines. The flight was making the 30-minute journey from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, to Pokhara.

The plane had 72 passengers, including 15 foreign nationals, and at least 68 are reported to have been killed when it crashed into a canyon not far from the city's new airport.

According to Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority, the disaster 's exact cause is yet unknown.

The aircraft crashed after losing touch with the airport at 10.50 am local time, according to the aviation authority. As it made its landing approach to the airport, video appears to show the plane suddenly tilting and falling toward the ground.

The plane had five Indians, four Russians, one Irish, two South Korean, one Australian, one French and one Argentinian national onboard, a Nepal airport official said.

During the Nepal plane accident,a passenger who was the victim of the accident was doing Facebook Live, the video went viral on social media. At least 68 people have died after a 72-seater plane crashed. #planecrash #NepalPlaneCrash #Nepal #pokhra #NepalPlaneCrashVideo pic.twitter.com/KSLpWhBIRp — Gajraj Singh Parihar  (@GAJRAJPARIHAR) January 15, 2023

Horrifying last moments of an ATR plane crash from Nepal in Pokhara that was bound for Kathmandu. All 72 people on board are dead. pic.twitter.com/4JZIvnThPQ — Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) January 15, 2023

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Blogger’s eerie selfie before horror Nepal plane crash

A travel blogger shared a selfie on a plane alongside a message before she tragically died in Nepal’s worst aircraft tragedy in nearly five years.

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A Russian travel blogger has been named as one of the victims in the horror Nepal plane crash – the country’s worst aircraft tragedy in nearly five years.

Elena Banduro, 33, a social media manager from Moscow, regularly posted about her travel adventures.

In one of her final posts before her tragic death, she excitedly shared a selfie on a plane with the caption: “Go to Nepal.”

Elena’s Facebook and Instagram pages have since been flooded with messages of condolences where she has been described as the “brightest” and “kindest soul”.

“Fly high sis, and go to the places you dreamt of going,” a friend posted on her wall.

“Rest in peace beautiful soul,” wrote another.

According to her Facebook bio, Elena was the head of social media marketing at a Russian-based company called МойОфис – My Office.

She also previously held the title of public relations specialist at a separate firm with her social media accounts filled with her global travel adventures.

In October, the 33-year-old travelled to the Caucasus Nature Reserve, a Russian nature sanctuary covering a heavily mountainous section of the Northwest Caucasus Mountains, where she shared stunning pictures of her hike.

For her latest trip, she was heading to Nepal. However, Elena was among four Russians who died on the flight. The others named as Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin and Viktor Lagin.

Russian ambassador to Nepal Alexei Novikov said he is currently in constant contact with the Nepalese authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of the dead Russians.

In total, there were 72 people on board the ATR-72 turboprop, reportedly including an Australian, when it crashed on Sunday .

At least 68 of the passengers and crew were confirmed to have died, the police said, however it is not known if the Australian is among the dead.

Hundreds of rescue workers helped scour the site in the hope of finding someone still alive. However the search for survivors has now been called off.

The plane was flying from Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan kingdom, to the central town of Pokhara when it crashed and caught fire, sending thick black smoke into the sky, according to The Times News Service.

Footage moments before crash

Horrifying footage has emerged appearing to show the final moments of the doomed passenger plane before it crashed.

The video, which has been shared on social media, shows what is reported to be the Yeti Airlines plane flying low towards what appears to be a residential building before abruptly turning 90 degrees and coming even lower to the ground.

It then disappears from view before the camera is turned towards the ground. Then there is a loud noise, followed by what sounds like screams.

Journalist for the BBC and CNN, Wajahat Kazmi, shared the footage and said: “Horrifying last moments of an ATR plane crash from Nepal.”

Airline spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula told the plane crashed between the old and new Pokhara airports in central Nepal.

Straight after the crash, the wreckage was on fire and rescue workers were trying to put out the blaze, said local official Gurudutta Dhakal.

Horrifying last moments of an ATR plane crash from Nepal in Pokhara that was bound for Kathmandu. All 72 people on board are dead. pic.twitter.com/4JZIvnThPQ — Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) January 15, 2023

Arun Tamu, a local resident, told Reuters that he had witness the aftermath of the crash.

“Half of the plane is on the hillside. The other half has fallen into the gorge of the Seti River.”

“Responders have already reached there and trying to douse the fire. All agencies are now focused on first dousing the fire and rescuing the passengers,” Mr Dhakal said.

The Yeti Airlines’ ATR-72 was 15 years old. The French/Italian aircraft type is popular around the world and is primarily used on shorter, regional routes. None are operated by Australian airlines but the ATR-72 is in service with Air New Zealand which has 29 in its fleet.

More Coverage

Since its introduction in 1989, the ATR-72 has been involved in 12 fatal incidents with around 400 fatalities.

The European Union has banned all Nepali carriers from its airspace over safety concerns since 2013.

– with Kate Schneider and AFP

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Russian woman vlogger who died in Nepal plane crash was pregnant; loved to travel

Hours after the news of her passing, it was revealed that Elena had uploaded a selfie to her Instagram account with the message “GO TO NEPAL!” just moments before the tragedy

Pokhra (Nepal): 68 passengers and 4 crew members of the Yeti Airlines YT691 perished in what is possibly the deadliest plane disaster in Nepali history on Sunday morning.

The ATR 72 jetliner bound for Pokhara from Kathmandu crashed not far from the city’s airport. On the banks of the Seti Gandaki river, the plane crashed into a forest.

15 of the deceased were foreigners. There were also 5 Indians, 4 Russians, 2 South Koreans, 1 Australian, 1 French, and 1 Argentinian person among them.

Elena Banduro, a 33-year-old Russian traveller and blogger, was one of those whose passing was first announced.

Hours after the news of her passing, it was revealed that Elena had uploaded a selfie to her Instagram account with the message “GO TO NEPAL!” just moments before the tragedy.

It was revealed by her sister that Elena was carrying a baby when she passed away and that she was travelling to Nepal to see her spouse.

Her Facebook bio revealed she was the manager of social media marketing at a business with headquarters in Russia.

Prior to this, she worked as a public relations professional for a different company, chronicling her travels around the world on social media.

In October 2022, Elena had travelled to Caucasus Nature Reserve, a Russian nature sanctuary covering a mountainous section of Northwest Caucasus mountains.

She was in Nepal for yet another adventure.

Last she talked to her sister was a day prior to the tragedy.

Ksenia, her sister said that Elena shared with her about boarding the Yeti airplane. “At 4.59 am (Moscow time), she wrote to me, ‘Good morning, in Nepal, 7.44 am. I go to the airport area, now I have a flight to the city of Pokhara.”

She added that Elena hadn’t disclosed her pregnancy to her family until just last week.

Her last post on Instagram was made on January 5. “Turn up the sound”, the caption, which is translated from Russian.

Her Instagram is filled with images and movies taken in locations including Crimea, Kazakhstan, the Iturup island, and Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka.

Worst Crash

Locals who raced to the scene to help evacuate victims from the collision site claimed they were unable to do so due to the intense smoke and flames.

Authorities claim that none of the 72 passengers on board the Yeti Airlines flight appear to have survived. There have been 68 bodies found so far, and 4 remain unaccounted for.

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Travel blogger posted excited selfie before dying alongside 67 others in plane crash

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The first victim of the devastating Nepal plane crash that killed at least 68 people has been pictured.

Elena Banduro, 33, posted a smiling selfie moments before the aircraft plummeted into a gorge and burst into flames in Pokhara.

The Russian travel blogger excitedly told her followers on social media about her trip.

Uploading an image of herself on the plane, she wrote: ‘Go to Nepal!’

From Moscow, Elena worked as a social media manager and travelled widely. 

Tributes flooded in for her today on social media, with one naming her ‘the brightest, kindest soul we knew’.

Fifteen foreigners and four crew members were among the 72 people on board the plane, which was attempting to land at a newly-opened airport.

Rescuers combed the wreckage on the edge of the cliff and in the ravine below.

It’s currently unclear what caused the tragedy – the country’s deadliest aviation accident in three decades.

Three other Russians died on the 27-minute Yeti Airlines flight, named as Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin and Viktor Lagin.

This was confirmed by Russian ambassador to Nepal, Alexei Novikov, who said authorities were supporting the families of the victims.

Other foreigners onboard included five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Ireland, Australia, Argentina and France.

Local Bishnu Tiwari, who rushed to the crash site to help the search, said rescue efforts were hampered because of thick smoke and a raging fire that engulfed the aircraft.

‘The flames were so hot that we couldn’t go near the wreckage’, he said.

Another witness said he saw the aircraft spinning violently in the air after it began to attempt a landing. 

Gaurav Gurung claimed the plane fell nose-first towards its left and then crashed into the gorge.

Family members of the victims were seen looking distraught as they were escorted inside at Kathmandu airport, where the flight had started out.

The twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft last made contact with the airport from near Seti Gorge at 10.50am local time, the aviation authority said.

Tek Bahadur KC, a senior administrative officer in the Kaski district, said he expected rescue workers to find more bodies at the bottom of the gorge.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who rushed to the airport after the disaster, has confirmed an investigation has been launched.

‘The incident was tragic’, he said. ‘The full force of the Nepali army, police has been deployed for rescue.’

Nepal has a tragic history of fatal airline accidents, with remote runways and sudden weather changes sometimes making for hazardous conditions.

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Travel blogger’s chilling three-word final post before deadly plane crash.

Tragedy unfolds in central Nepal following major plane crash

A travel blogger who shared a chilling final post before she was killed in the Nepal plane crash had recently discovered she was pregnant, her family has revealed.

At least 68 people were killed on Sunday when a passenger aircraft went down near the city of Pokhara in central Nepal in the country’s deadliest plane crash in more than 30 years.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tragedy unfolds in central Nepal as plane crash kills at least 68 people.

One of the victims has since been identified by loved ones as Russian blogger Elena Banduro, 33.

Banduro, a social media manager from Moscow, shared an eerie message as one of her final social media posts before her death.

The 33-year-old was pictured smiling in a selfie on a plane with the English caption: “Go to Nepal.”

Her social media has since been flooded with messages of condolences, as loved ones paid tribute to the young women who had just week told them she was pregnant.

“I can’t believe it,” one friend said of Banduro’s death.

“Our light and air ... Fly high sis, and go to the places you dreamed of going,” another said.

Banduro’s sister Ksenia told Russian media outlet KP RU the blogger had flown to Nepal to see her husband.

Ksenia had spoken to her sister just the day before the tragedy.

“Everything was fine, she talked about her impressions, about plans for a vacation,” she said, according to a translation of KP RU.

“At 4.59am Moscow time, she wrote to me: ‘Good morning, in Nepal 7.44am. I go to the airport area, now I have a flight to the city of Pokhara’.”

Ksenia said Banduro had only last week told her family she was pregnant.

Of the 68 passengers on the ATR 72 plane, 15 were foreign nationals including five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Australia, Argentina, Ireland, and France, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

Among the dead is at least one infant, CAAN said.

Four crew members were also on the flight.

Russian Ambassador to Nepal Alexei Novikov confirmed the death of the four Russian citizens on board.

The plane was making a 27-minute flight from the capital of Kathmandu to Pokhara when it crashed into a gorge while attempting to land at a newly opened airport.

At least one witness reported hearing cries for help from within the fiery wreck.

Officials suspended the search for four missing people overnight and planned to resume looking Monday.

Hundreds of first responders had been working to locate the remaining four individuals before then.

Kaski district senior administrative officer Tek Bahadur KC said he expected rescue workers to find more bodies at the bottom of the gorge.

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.

The aviation authority said the aircraft last made contact with the airport from near Seti Gorge at 10.50am before crashing.

It was not immediately clear what caused the accident, CAAN said.

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Nepal Plane Crash: Travel Blogger On Ill-Fated Aircraft Shared Selfie Moments Before Tragedy

• Elena Banduro, 33, died in the tragic plane crash Sunday
• Her family said she learned only a week ago that she is pregnant
• "Go to Nepal," read the text on Banduro's selfie shared on social media

A 33-year-old Russian travel blogger who died in the tragic Nepal plane crash Sunday shared her final moments in a chilling selfie posted on her social media account.

In the picture, Elena Banduro was seen seated inside the aircraft which came crashing down near the city of Pokhara just while landing. Banduro was among the 68 others who died in the most deadly crash in the South Asian nation's history of aviation accidents in 30 years.

"Go to Nepal," the text on her selfie read, as reported by 7 News .

Earlier, the Russian ambassador to Nepal, Alexei Novikov, confirmed the deaths of four compatriots in the Sunday crash. Banduro's loved ones were able to identify the young blogger after bodies were recovered from the crash site.

Banduro, a social media manager from Moscow was traveling to Nepal to meet her husband and she recently learned she was pregnant, her sister, Ksenia told Russian media outlet KP RU .

"Everything was fine, she talked about her impressions, about plans for a vacation," Ksenia said Banduro told her just a day ago. "At 4.59 am Moscow time, she wrote to me: 'Good morning, in Nepal 7.44am. I go to the airport area, now I have a flight to the city of Pokhara."

The ATR 72-passenger plane of Yeti Airlines had a total of 72 passengers on board, including four crew members. 15 of the 72 passengers were foreign nationals, including five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Argentina and France.

The ill-fated aircraft took off from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 10:33 a.m. local time, Teller Report reported, citing the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

A search and rescue operation involving local authorities and residents was underway. Gut-wrenching footage that surfaced online showed the aircraft engulfed in flames and thick plumes of smoke coming from the wreckage. One clip shared on Twitter showed the plane flying at a low altitude over a residential area before lurching to the left and crashing with a loud boom.

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January 16, 23

Blogger Elena Banduro killed in devastating Nepal plane crash's haunting final post

By James Kay

A Russian blogger who tragically died in a plane crash that killed 68 people in Nepal shared a devastating final post from the seat of an aircraft.

As reported by BBC news , a Yeti Airlines plane crashed near Pokhara airport in central Nepal yesterday (January 15) with 68 people confirmed to be deceased.

The flight left the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu carrying 72 people, 15 of which were said to be foreign nationals. Of the passengers on board, 53 were Nepali, five were Indian, four were Russian, two were Korean, as well as passengers from Australia, Argentina, France, and Ireland.

The plane crashed into a gorge roughly 1.5km (0.9 miles) away from the intended airport where it burst into flames, leaving emergency services facing a battle to get to the wreckage.

One passenger among the 72 on board was Russian national Elena Banduro who sadly lost her life as a result of the devastating tragedy.

Per the Daily Mail , Banduro was a travel blogger who documented her adventures around the world on her Instagram page , and she had shared one final heartbreaking post before the fatal crash.

Sitting in her seat on the Yeti Airlines flight, the 33-year-old posted a selfie with the caption: "Go to Nepal!" as she was excited about the adventures to come.

The Moscow travel blogger worked as a social media manager and was amongst three other Russian nationals who lost their lives in the incident.

The Daily Mail report named them as Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin, and Viktor Lagin. Their deaths were confirmed by Alexei Novikov, the Russian ambassador in Nepal.

He stated: "Unfortunately, four citizens of the Russian Federation died. We are in constant contact with the Nepalese authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of the dead Russians."

Banduro's Instagram page has been flooded with people sharing their condolences. One person said: "Sorry for the loss. So much of heart break. We all Nepali are sorry for the loss to her family. Rest in heaven." [sic]

A second person added: "How profound that last post was... and what a beauty she is. Too bad. Condolences to family and friends."

The crash is the deadliest in the region since 2018 when 51 people lost their lives as US-Bangla Dash 8 turboprop flight from Dhaka crashed while landing in Kathmandu.

The plane's chilling final moments were also caught on camera by another passenger who had been live-streaming the landing as the fatal crash occurred.

The footage showed the passenger and the person he was sitting next to looking relaxed and happy seconds before the tragedy, with the camera suddenly tilting to one side before being engulfed in flames as the plane crashed.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.

Featured image credit: Marc Boettcher / Alamy

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Russian vlogger Elena Banduro posted Go To Nepal on Instagram. 20 minutes later, she was dead.

33-year-old Elena Banduro died in the Nepal airplane tragedy. Photo: Instagram/Reuters

In what is perhaps the worst plane crash in the history of Nepal, 68 passengers and 72 crew members onboard the Yeti Airlines YT691 died on Sunday morning. The ATR 72 plane, which was travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara, crashed near the Pokhara International Airport on Sunday. The aircraft crashed into the forested land on the banks of the Seti Gandaki river.

Among the dead, 15 people were foreigners. That included 5 Indians, 4 Russians, 2 South Koreans, 1 Australian, 1 French and 1 Argentinian national. One of those whose death was first reported was 33-year-old Russian vlogger and traveller Elena Banduro. As fate would have it, Elena, just minutes before the crash, had posted a photo of herself on her Instagram account, with the caption, "GO TO NEPAL!"

Nepal Plane Crash: Travel Blogger Who Perished Had Recently Discovered She Was Pregnant

• "Go to Nepal"
• That was a caption to a final selfie by one of the passengers who died in the plane crash that occurred in Nepal yesterday and killed over 68 people
• Details reveal that the travel blogger named Elena Banduro had recently discovered she was pregnant and shared the news with her family
• She was on her way to visit her husband when their aircraft fell from the skies and immediately caught fire

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It has emerged that one of the passengers on the ill-fated Yeti Airlines plane that crashed in Nepal and killed over 68 people had recently discovered she was pregnant.

According to to 7News , the travel blogger named Elena Banduro was on her way to spend time with her husband in Nepal when tragedy struck.

Banduro was pregnant

Banduro, a social media manager from Moscow, Russia, had shared a final message on her page hours before her life ended.

Ugandan Woman Arrested for Locking Boyfriend, Her Cousin in Bedroom Setting It on Fire: "Love Triangle"

PAY ATTENTION: Join TUKO.co.ke Telegram channel! Never miss important updates

In the now-chilling post, the 33-year-old shared a selfie of herself smiling while on the plane and captioned it “Go to Nepal.”

Banduro’s sister Ksenia told the media that she had spoken to her sibling the day before she died, just as she was preparing to travel.

“Everything was fine, she talked about her impressions, about plans for a vacation,” disclosed Ksenia.

Ksenia added that Banduro had informed the family just last week that she and her husband were expecting a baby.

Messages of condolences

Since news of her death was announced, social media fans and followers have flooded her page and shared their condolences .

“I can’t believe it,” one of the friends wrote.

“Our light and air. Fly high sis, and go to the places you dreamed of going,” added another.

Plane crashed near Pokhara city

Nepal Plane Crash: Resident Emotionally Recalls Man Crying for Help but Couldn't Rescue Him Due to Fire

The aircraft fell down from the skies near the city of Pokhara in central Nepal in what has been termed as the country’s deadliest plane crash in more than 30 years.

Officials said the plane which was flying from Kathmandu crashed 1.5km away from the airport and immediately caught fire.

Details indicate that out of the 68 passengers who were on board the ATR 72 aircraft, 15 were foreign nationals including five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Australia, Argentina, Ireland, and France

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal also announced that among the deceased were four crew members and at least one infant.

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Who was Elena Banduro, Russian travel blogger killed in Nepal plane crash?

1 year ago . Pokhara, Nepal

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2 hours ago . Los Angeles, CA, USA

• Nepal's ATR-72 passenger plane crashed in the city called Pokhara on Sunday
• Among the deceased wasAmong the deceased was Russian travel blogger Elena Banduro
• Banduro, 33, shared her adventures around the globe online

Nepal’s ATR-72 passenger plane crashed in the city called Pokhara on Sunday, 20 minutes after taking off from  Kathmandu , killing at least 68 people on board at the time. Among the deceased was Russian travel blogger Elena Banduro.

Russian ambassador to Nepal , Alexei Novikov, confirmed the death of four compatriots aboard the crashed plane.

Also Read |  Watch: Nepal ATR-72 plane, moments before it crashed in Pokhara

“Unfortunately, four citizens of the Russian Federation died,” he said. “We are in constant contact with the Nepalese authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of the dead Russians.” Three other Russians died on the flight, Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin and Viktor Lagin.

I5 foreigners were among the 72 onboard the plane which came to a tragic end including five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans and one each from Argentina and France . Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said he was “deeply saddened by the sad and tragic accident.” Nepalese Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also tweeted condolences.

Also Read |  Provo Airport, Utah plane crash leaves 1 dead, 3 injured

‘The loss of lives in a tragic plane crash in Nepal is extremely unfortunate. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the bereaved,” said the official.

Who is Elena Banduro?  

Elena Banduro, 33, shared her adventures around the globe online. Her latest trip showed her on a plane with a message in English that said, “Go to Nepal.” 

She posted about her trip just moments before the tragic flight came down as it approached Pokhara International Airport in Nepal.

Also Read |  Carrollton, Texas plane crash near Hebron Parkway: 2 injured taken to hospital

Following her death, Banduro’s social media was full of messages of condolences. She was described as “the brightest, kindest soul we knew.”

The tragic blogger worked as a social media manager and traveled widely. 

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First Nepal plane crash victim is named as Russian travel blogger, 33: Passenger posted selfie from her seat with message 'Go to Nepal' before Yeti Airline aircraft came down on route from Kathmandu to tourist town

• Russian travel blogger Elena Banduro, 33, was among those killed in Nepal 
• She posted excitedly 'Go to Nepal' about her latest trip, showing her on a plane
• There were 72 people on the twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft run by Yeti Airlines
• Hundreds of rescuers scoured the gorge today where 15-year-old plane crashed

By Will Stewart and Stewart Carr For Mailonline

Published: 11:00 EDT, 15 January 2023 | Updated: 16:10 EDT, 15 January 2023

View comments

One of those killed in the Nepal plane crash was Moscow travel blogger Elena Banduro, 33, who shared her worldwide adventures online.

She posted excitedly about her latest trip showing her on a plane with the message in English: 'Go to Nepal'.

Her social media was today full of messages of condolences, and she was described as 'the brightest, kindest soul we knew'.

The tragic blogger worked as a social media manager and travelled widely. Three other Russians died on the flight, named as Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin and Viktor Lagin.

One of those killed in the Nepal plane crash was Moscow travel blogger Elena Banduro, 33, who shared her worldwide adventures online

Miss Banduro posted excitedly about her latest trip showing her on a plane with the message in English: 'Go to Nepal'

The tragic blogger worked as a social media manager and travelled widely. Three other Russians died on the flight, named as Viktoria Altunina, Yuri Lugin and Viktor Lagin

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Earlier the Russian ambassador to Nepal, Alexei Novikov, confirmed the death of four compatriots aboard the crashed plane.

'Unfortunately, four citizens of the Russian Federation died,' he said.

'We are in constant contact with the Nepalese authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of the dead Russians.'

A total of 15 foreigners were among the 72 on board the stricken plane.

Police have confirmed at least 68 people were killed today when a domestic flight crashed into a gorge while landing at a newly opened airport in the central resort town of Pokhara.

Harrowing footage showed the plane moments before the disaster - which is the small Himalayan country's worst crash in nearly five years.

Hundreds of rescue workers continued to scour the hillside site where the plane of domestic carrier Yeti Airlines, flying from the capital Kathmandu, went down.

'Rescue operations are on. Weather was clear,' said Jagannath Niroula, a spokesman for Nepal civil aviation authority, which confirmed the latest death toll as 44. Elsewhere, Gurudatta Dhakal, assistant chief official of Kaski district, said some survivors had been taken to hospital.

Local television showed thick black smoke billowing from the crash site as rescue workers and crowds of people gathered around the wreckage of the aircraft.

Rescue teams work at the crash site of a Yeti Airlines ATR72 aircraft in Pokhara, central Nepal

Pieces of the wreckage have been salvaged from the gorge in Pokhara, Nepal, where 68 people are confirmed to have lost their lives

Hundreds of rescue workers, members of the armed forces and locals crowd around the crash site in Pokhara, Nepal 

There were 72 people on the twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft operated by Nepal's Yeti Airlines, including two infants and ten foreign nationals

Rescuers gather at the site of a plane crash in Pokhara today

Crowds gather at the crash site of an aircraft carrying 72 people in Pokhara in western Nepal

The plane was attempting to land into the newly opened airport in Pokhara when it crashed into the gorge

A spokesman for Nepal's army said they expected to find more bodies in the wreckage

IRISH GOVERMENT IS 'AWARE' OF NATIONAL LOST IN DISASTER

The Irish Government is 'aware' of reports that an Irish person was among the passengers on a plane that crashed in Nepal.

At least 68 people are thought to have died after the passenger aircraft crashed into a gorge while landing at a newly opened airport in central Nepal on Sunday.

Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing, with videos on social media showing smoke billowing from the crash site.

A spokesman said the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs was aware of reports that an Irish citizen was among the passengers on board.

'The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of reports of the involvement of an Irish citizen in an airplane crash in Nepal, and stands ready to provide consular assistance if requested,' it said.

A total of 15 foreign nationals were on board the plane, according to Nepal's aviation authority.

The plane had been travelling from the capital Kathmandu to Pokhara International Airport, which began operations only two weeks ago.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash.

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 plane is burning,' said police official Ajay K.C., adding that rescue workers were having difficulty reaching the site in a gorge between two hills near the tourist town's airport.

The craft made contact with the airport from Seti Gorge at 10:50 a.m. (0505 GMT), the aviation authority said in a statement. 'Then it crashed.'

'Half of the plane is on the hillside,' said Arun Tamu, a local resident, who told Reuters he reached the site minutes after the plane went down. 'The other half has fallen into the gorge of the Seti river.'

Khum Bahadur Chhetri said he watched from the roof of his house as the flight approached.

'I saw the plane trembling, moving left and right, and then suddenly its nose dived and it went into the gorge,' Chhetri told Reuters, adding that local residents took two passengers to a hospital.

The crash is Nepal's deadliest since March 2018, when a US-Bangla Dash 8 turboprop flight from Dhaka crashed on landing in Kathmandu, killing 51 of the 71 people on board , according to Aviation Safety Network.

In May 2022, all 22 people  died on board a plane operated by Nepali carrier Tara Air - including 16 Nepalis, four Indians and two Germans - when it crashed o a slope.

There were 72 people on the twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft operated by Yeti in today's disaster, including two infants and four crew members, said airline spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula.

The plane had five Indians, four Russians, one Irish, two South Korean, one Australian, one French and one Argentinian national onboard, a Nepal airport official said.

The plane was 15 years old, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.

The plane, operated by domestic carrier Yeti Airlines (pictured) was 15 years old, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24

'We expect to recover more bodies,' said army spokesman Krishna Bhandari. 'The plane has broken into pieces.'

Russian Ambassador to Nepal Alexei Novikov confirmed the death of four Russians aboard the crashed plane.

'Unfortunately, four citizens of the Russian Federation died. We are in constant contact with the Nepalese authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of the dead Russians,' he said.

A South Korean embassy official said: 'Two South Koreans are on the list of passengers. We are trying to confirm whether they were actually on board and their identities.'

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda (centre), receives information from officials about the tragedy in Pokhara

44 bodies are reported to have been recovered from the wreckage of the plane

Locals watch the wreckage of a passenger plane in Pokhara

Life in the central resort of Pokhara has ground to a standstill after the shocking crash earlier today

Hundreds of onlookers rushed to the crash site, where the remains of the plane were engulfed in flames

Rescue workers near the charred wreckage of the Yeti Airlines plane in Pokhara 

So far, rescue workers have recovered the remains of 44 people from the crash site, with many more unaccounted for

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said he was 'deeply saddened by the sad and tragic accident.'

Nepalese Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted condolences.

'The loss of lives in a tragic plane crash in Nepal is extremely unfortunate. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the bereaved,' said the official.

The ATR72 is a widely used twin engine turboprop plane manufactured by a joint venture of Airbus and Italy's Leonardo. Yeti Airlines has a fleet of six ATR72-500 planes, according to its website.

Air accidents are not uncommon in Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountains, including Everest, as the weather can change suddenly and make for hazardous conditions.

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said he was 'deeply saddened by the sad and tragic accident' and held an emergency cabinet meeting

Thick plumes of smoke followed in the aftermath of the tragic crash

Crowds gather as rescue teams work to retrieve bodies at the crash site of the aircraft

The plane crashed into a gorge after takeoff from the Pokhara International Airport

Hundreds of locals in Pokhara look down into the gorge as rescue workers continue the task of retrieving bodies from the crash site

Prime Minister Dahal has called an emergency cabinet meeting after the plane crash, a government statement said.

Nepal's air industry has boomed in recent years, carrying goods and people between hard-to-reach areas as well as foreign trekkers and climbers.

But it has been plagued by poor safety due to insufficient training and maintenance.

The European Union has banned all Nepali carriers from its airspace over safety concerns.

The Himalayan country also has some of the world's most remote and tricky runways, flanked by snow-capped peaks with approaches that pose a challenge even for accomplished pilots.

Aircraft operators have said Nepal lacks infrastructure for accurate weather forecasts, especially in remote areas with challenging mountainous terrain where deadly crashes have taken place in the past.

The weather can also change quickly in the mountains, creating treacherous flying conditions.

Share or comment on this article: Russian travel blogger, 33, named among the 68 dead in Nepal airplane disaster

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Russian vlogger's haunting selfie from seat minutes before deadly Nepal plane crash

Updated January 17th, 2023 at 09:05 IST

A Russian travel vlogger Elena Banduro posted an eerie selfie from inside the Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft minutes before the deadly crash

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As Nepal witnessed one of the deadliest crashes, an eerie selfie of one of the deceased foreign passengers captured the last moments before the accident. Notably, on Sunday,  Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft carrying 72 people, 68 passengers and four crew members crashed on the bank of the Seti River in Pokhara killing everyone on board.

A total of 68 passengers boarded the Pokhara-bound flight of which 15 were foreign nationals. One of the victims was Russian travel vlogger Elena Banduro who posted a selfie on her social media account informing about her latest trip. 

In the now-disappeared Instagram story with a time limit of 24 hours, the Russian national posted a selfie from inside the Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft. She posted the picture minutes before the flight took off. The 33-year-old was seen sitting on her seat as she captioned her picture 'Go To Nepal' advising people to visit the place.

Elena Banduro's post on Instagram before her death. Photo credit: Instagram

Final moments from inside Pokhara-bound Plane before the crash

Yet another video revealing the horrific visuals captured the final inside moments of the Yeti Airlines flight. As per the sources, the video was accessed from the rescued phone of a deceased Indian passenger identified as Sonu Jaiswal who was on board doing Facebook Live before the deadly crash. The video began with the shots of Sonu recording passengers inside the flight and then flipping it recording the city outside the window as the plane circles before landing. All of a sudden there was a big explosion as the flight crashed and caught fire. The horrific screams of the distraught passengers were also heard who lost their lives in the accident. As the flight was engulfed in fire the phone kept recording the flames and post-crash wreckage.

It is pertinent to mention that the black box has been retrieved from the Yeti Airlines aircraft that crashed on the morning of Sunday in Nepal’s Pokhara. The instrument, which is one of the most crucial tellers of the cause behind air accidents, is likely to reveal what transpired in the ill-fated flight moments before it nosedived, killing at least 68 people on board.

Published January 17th, 2023 at 07:51 IST

Nepal air crash victim told family she was pregnant days before boarding doomed flight

Elena Banduro, one of the 72 victims of the tragic plane crash in Nepal, told her family she was pregnant just days before she died. She was expecting a girl, her sister Ksenia said

• 17:10, 16 Jan 2023

A victim of the Nepal plane crash had told her family that she was pregnant just days before the tragic flight.

Elena Banduro , 33, from Moscow, was flying to meet her partner Maxim when she died in the horror crash on Sunday.

Her grief-stricken sister Ksenia said the travel blogger had done an ultrasound scan and discovered she was pregnant just days before the tragedy.

The woman explained: “She could see the arms and legs of the baby, the outline. They were expecting a girl.”

The blogger's distraught partner Maxim was reportedly scouring hospitals and morgues in the desperate hope she had survived the crash.

The tragic blogger, who worked as a social media manager and travelled widely, uploaded an excited post about her trip just moments before the tragedy with the caption: "Go to Nepal!"

Her social media was full of messages of condolences, and she was described as “the brightest, kindest soul we knew”.

All 72 people on board the tragic flight are feared dead, with four still unaccounted for, according to officials in Nepal.

Another Russian victim, Viktoria Altunina, 34, was a teacher from Rostov-on-Don.

She reportedly took the picture - her last - of queuing passengers around one hour before the crash.

She died with her husband Viktor Lygin, 38, and his cousin Yuri Lygin.

Like Elena and her partner, she and her husband had been living outside Russia for much of the duration of the war in Ukraine , although their reasons were not clear.

Elena had lived recently in Kazakhstan but travelled widely including to Sri Lanka, both popular destinations with Russians during Vladimir Putin ’s war.

Viktoria had the slogan “Travel as a way of life” on her social media.

Bloknot media in her native Rostov-on-Don, close to the war zone, reported: “It is also known that the couple were not planning to return to Russia in the near future.”

A woman posted: "Viktoria - I was only talking to you yesterday. I loved these places you visited so much. I heard your name on Channel 1, on the list.

"My heart just sank! I texted you and there was no answer. I was hoping for a miracle. God, my dear, you're such a good person!"

Elena had posted excitedly about her latest trip, showing herself on a plane with the message in English: ‘Go to Nepal’.

Her social media is full of condolences. She was described as “the brightest, kindest soul we knew”.

The tragic blogger worked as a social media manager and travelled widely.

Another victim of the tragic crash was named as 29-year-old Australian teacher Myron Love .

He was travelling through Asia when he boarded the ATR 72 Yeti airlines flight in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Mr Love, from Sydney, has been described by his friend James Lesjak-Atton as "a truly kind, fun, energetic man".

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Sunday’s crash is Nepal’s deadliest since 1992 when all 167 people aboard a Pakistan International Airlines plane were killed when it crashed into a hill as it tried to land in Kathmandu.

Pokhra : A scheduled domestic passenger flight operated by Yeti Airlines connected Kathmandu with Pokhara in Nepal crashed. The route’s operating aircraft, an ATR 72 operated by Yeti Airlines, crashed while attempting to land in Pokhara on January 15, 2023, killing all 72 people on board. It is one of the most fatal ATR 72 accident ever. A shocking mobile video captured the final seconds befwore the plane crashed into a canyon about 1.6 kilometres (miles) from the new airport. The ATR-72 was developed in the late 1980s as a joint venture between France and Italy. Despite being involved in a number of fatal incidents over the years, many of which were caused by icing problems, the ATR-72  had a pretty solid track record.

There were 72 passengers on board, including four crew members. 57 Nepalis, five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, one each from Argentina, Ireland, Australia, and France were among the passengers.

Who was Elena Banduro? 

One of the Russians in the Nepal crash was Elena Banduro a 33 year old vlogger and traveller. As luck would have it, Elena had uploaded a picture of herself to Instagram with the caption, “GO TO NEPAL!” just moments prior to the collision. Condolence posts flooded Elena’s social media after she passed away. She was known for jolly nature and was described as “the brightest, kindest soul.” Elena’s sister revealed that the Elena was expecting a child and was on her way to Nepal to visit her partner at the time of her death. According to her Facebook bio she was the manager of social media marketing at a business with headquarters in Russia.

She had previously worked in public relations for a different business, posting updates about her travels on social media. Elena had visited the Caucasus Nature Reserve in October 2022, a Russian nature preserve including a rugged region of the Northwest Caucasus mountains. She was on another adventurous trip to Nepal. 

A day before the catastrophe, she last spoke to her sister. Elena told Elena’s sister Ksenia about boarding the Yeti jet, according to Ksenia. “She wrote to me at 4:59 a.m. (Moscow time), ‘Good morning, in Nepal, 7.44 a.m. I head to the airport because I have a flight to Pokhara right now.

She continued by saying that Elena had only recently told her family about her pregnancy. Her final Instagram post was published on January 5. The caption, which is translated from Russian, reads, “Turn up the sound.”

She was a frequent traveller and used to post photos and videos on Instagram from her trips to different places including the Crimea, Kazakhstan, the Iturup island, and Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka.

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