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./aa