Officials in Nepal say an airplane has crashed on the outskirts of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, killing all 19 people aboard.

They say the plane crashed Friday morning shortly after taking off from Kathmandu airport. Authorities say the aircraft was engulfed in flames near the Manohara river.

Police officials say seven British, five Chinese and four Nepali passengers were among the dead. The plane's three Nepali crew members also died in the crash.

The Sita Air plane was headed to Lukla, the gateway to Mount Everest. Thousands of foreigners head to the region around the world's highest peak yearly for trekking trips.