Kathmandu: An aircraft with 72 people on board crashed in Nepal’s Pokara city on Sunday.

An ATR 72 aircraft of Yeti Airlines which flew from Kathmandu to Pokhara crashed between the old and new Pokhara airports in the city, according to airline’s officials.

“The rescue operation is currently underway. There were 68 passengers and four crew members,” Sudarshan Bartaula, a spokesman for the airlines, told India Narrative over the phone on Sunday. Of the passengers eight are foreigners, according to him.

According to local authorities, eight dead bodies have been recovered from the crash site so far. It was immediately not clear if there are survivors.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda has called an emergency cabinet meeting after the tragic incident.

Taking to Twitter, the prime minister expressed sadness over the incident. He also urged security forces, government agencies and the general people to carry out rescue operations effectively.

A local resident from Pokhara, Krishna Hari Wagle, told India Narrative that the wreckage was on the fire and rescue workers were making efforts to put out the blaze.

Only 15 days ago, Prime Minister Prachanda had inaugurated Pokhara Regional International Airport which was built with Chinese assistance.

Pokhara is Nepal’s major tourist destination. The city is also home to several lakes.

Nepal’s economy is dependent on tourism. Pokhara receives thousands of tourists every year.

The South Asian country’s aviation industry has faced criticism for its poor safety in recent years.