進入英語學習論壇下載音頻 去聽寫專區一展身手

An aircraft taking tourists on a sightseeing trip crashed into a hillside near the Nepalese capital Kathmandu on Sunday, killing all 19 people on board.

The Buddha Air Beechcraft plane, carrying 10 Indians, two US citizens, one Japanese and three local passengers, came down in heavy rain and fog at Godavari, around 10 kilometers from Kathmandu.

The three Nepalese crew also died in the accident as the plane smashed into wooded slopes, leaving the fuselage broken into several pieces.

"All 19 people have died. The Buddha Air-103 was returning from a mountain flight when it crashed into Kotdada Hill," said Bimlesh Lal Karna, head of the rescue department at Tribhuwan International Airport.

Police spokesman Binod Singh said one person had initially survived the crash but had died in hospital.

"The rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy rain," he added.

Airport authorities lost contact with the plane at 7:30 am and it crashed minutes later.

"When we reached the crash site, we found the dead bodies scattered within 25 meters of the site which is surrounded by trees," said Dip Shamsher Rana, a police officer who took part in the rescue.

Questions:

1. How many people were on-board the fatal Buddha Air plane?

2. Did anyone survive the crash?

3. Where was the aircraft headed?

Answers:

1. 19.

2. Yes, one, but they later died in the hospital.

3. Returning from a sightseeing tour near Kathmandu.

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

?Christine Mallari is an intern at China Daily. She was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in a nearby suburb before moving for college. After recently graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in English, Journalism and Mass Communications, she moved to Beijing to work with China Daily. Though she has been working in journalism since high school, this is her first time doing so abroad.