Seven British tourists are among 19 people killed in a plane crash near Kathmandu which may have been caused by a bird striking an engine.
The British victims were identified by local travel company Sherpa Adventures as Benjamin Ogden, 27, Raymond Eagle, 58, Christopher Davey, 51, Timothy Oakes, 57, Stephen Holding, 60, and brothers Vincent Kelly, 50, and Darren Kelly, 45.
The group, who arrived in Nepal on Wednesday and were due to begin trekking today, were travelling with Hampshire-based travel company Explore Worldwide.
Managing director Ashley Toft said: “We are devastated by this news. Our thoughts are very much with the families of those affected, both in the UK and in Nepal.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said the families of the victims have all been informed.
Oxford University graduate Mr Ogden lived in London and worked for international law firm Allen & Overy, where he had recently qualified as an associate.
The firm said in a statement: “Everyone at Allen & Overy is deeply shocked and saddened by the news that Ben Ogden was one of 19 people who were tragically killed in a plane crash in Nepal this morning.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.
“As well as being an excellent lawyer, Ben was a very popular member of the firm.
“Ben had recently qualified and it was clear to everyone that he had an incredibly promising career ahead of him.
“Ben will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
Cheshire East Council said Mr Eagle had been a support worker for the disabled for the last 11 years.
Five of the other passengers were Chinese and the four crew and remaining passengers were all Nepalese.
The plane, belonging to a Nepalese private domestic airline, Sita Air, was heading east towards Lukla, the gateway to Mount Everest and a popular destination for trekkers.
It crashed near the Manohara River to the south west of the city. Witnesses say it burst into flames and came down in a field, reports said.
The pilot reported trouble two minutes after take-off, and Kathmandu airport official Ratish Chandra Suman said the plane appeared to have been trying to turn back to the airport. The official could not confirm if the plane was already on fire before it crashed.
The weather in Kathmandu was clear at the time.