Search and rescue operations are ongoing at a mountainous region of central Nepal where a Dornier 228 turboprop operated by Nepalese regional carrier Agni Air crashed this morning.

The aircraft, registration 9N-AHE, crashed in the hills of Makwanpur while flying to Kathmandu with 14 people on board.

"We are not sure yet if there are any survivors," says an Agni Air official, adding that the aircraft had crashed in heavy rain.

The Dornier 228 was flying to Kathmandu from the eastern town of Lukla but was diverted to Simara Airport after Kathmandu Airport was closed due to adverse weather.

It subsequently went missing and its last contact with air traffic controllers was at 07:26hr, says the official.

Eleven passengers and three crew members were on board the aircraft.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news