NEW DELHI: A private airplane carrying 22 people has gone missing in Nepal, officials said on Sunday.

The 9N-AET twin Otter plane belonging to Tara Air took off from the city of Pokhara.

Fanindra Mani Pokharel, a senior Home Ministry official, told Anadolu Agency that a search and rescue operation has been launched.

"There were 19 passengers and three crew members on the plane," he said, adding that helicopters have been deployed to find it.

Pokharel also said the aircraft lost contact on Sunday morning after it took off from the airport.

English Daily Kathmandu Post reported that a few Indian nationals were also on board the plane.

-- BERNAMA