Three Things for January 17
1. Plane crashes in Nepal resort town, at least 68 dead
A plane traveling to a tourist destination in Nepal crashed into a gorge on Sunday, Jan. 15, killing at least 68 of the 72 people on board, according to the Associated Press. The flight was reportedly set to last 27 minutes and crashed as it attempted to land at a newly opened airport in the town of Pokhara.
According to the Associated Press, a witness reported hearing pleas for help among the wreckage. Onlookers began to surround the crash site soon after the accident occurred, and rescue workers searched for the dead and missing overnight. After giving up their search for the remaining four missing people, workers were set to resume their search on Monday, Jan. 16.
A witness claimed to see the aircraft spinning in the air after beginning its descent, though it is not yet clear what caused the accident. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal set up an ongoing investigation into the crash’s cause.
For more information about the crash and investigation, click here.
2. Tiger in South Africa escapes, attacks a man
South African authorities searched on Monday, Jan. 16, for an escaped tiger that went missing over the past weekend. The animal reportedly attacked a man and killed a dog after its escape. According to local media, the man survived the attack and was taken to the hospital.
The tiger was kept in an enclosure on a private farm in Johannesburg, and a group of about 30 people continue to search the surrounding area. The animal is suspected to be in the Walkerville region, and authorities warn residents of that area to avoid confrontation with the animal.
According to the Associated Press, officials suspect the female tiger, Sheba, escaped after burglars cut through the fence surrounding her enclosure. They believe the tiger to be resting in a shady area, where it would be easily concealed. Officials hope that it will soon emerge from its unknown location to drink water, allowing them to capture it.
The leader of the community police group, Gresham Mandy, hopes to tranquilize the animal with a dart before safely bringing it back to its enclosure.
For more information, click here.
3. UGA football player killed in crash after championship
University of Georgia’s offensive lineman Devin Willock and a recruiting staff member, Chandler LeCroy, were killed in a car accident on Sunday, Jan. 15. The wreck occurred in Athens, Georgia, hours after UGA celebrated its second straight national championship.
A statement issued by the Athens-Clarke County police department said that the vehicle “left the roadway, striking two power poles and several trees.”
According to the Associated Press, two other members of the school’s football program were injured in the crash, but both are in stable condition. Among the injured was offensive lineman Warren McLendon, who announced his entrance into the NFL draft on Saturday, Jan. 14.
Willock played as a backup during Georgia’s 2022 season, starting in games against Tennessee and Kentucky, both of which ended in victory for the Bulldogs.
The accident is still under investigation, and the cause has not yet been determined.
For more information about the ongoing investigation, click here.
