A small plane carrying more than 23 people has crashed in west Nepal, according to local media reports.
The flight operated by Tara Air went missing during a flight over the Himilayas west of Kathmandu.
The Series 400 Twin Otter aircraft was flying from Nepal's second-largest city Pokhara on an 18-minute flight to Jomsom Airport, which services major trekking routes in the Annapurna region.
Local media reports said police put the number of people on board at 23, made up of 20 passengers and three crew.
Two children were on board the plane as well as two foreign nationals, from China and Kuwait.
Local media said a possible crash site had been located near a tiny village north west of Pokhara, where searchers spotted a fire.
Tara Air confirmed the plane was missing in a brief statement on its website.
"Tara Air ... with regret announces its Twin-Otter 400 series (9N-AHH) aircraft missing after taking off from Pokhara Airport at 7.50am local time," the statement said.
"It is also known that weather at both origin and destination airports was favourable and the airport was cleared for departure at the control tower at Pokhara.
"We have dispatched three helicopters on a search and rescue mission."
The statement said the airline would provide updates as more information came to light.
There were conflicting initial reports as to the number of people on board, with earlier reports saying 21 people were on board.
