KATHMANDU, Feb. 24 -- A missing aircraft of Tara Airlines in Nepal, which was carrying 23 people on board including 20 passengers and three crew members, is believed to have crashed in Myagdi district.

Locals informed police they noticed some fire in the forest of Rupse area in Myagdi district, which lies some 300 kilometers from the capital city.

However, no confirmations have been made from the side of authorities.

"We are heading towards the direction of Rupse area in Myagdi district as informed by the locals. We can confirm only after reaching to that specific location," Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Myagdi district Bishwo Raj Khadka told Xinhua over phone.

Earlier, Bhim Raj Rai, Media Officer of the Tara Airlines informed Xinhua one Chinese and one Kuwaiti national were among the passengers on board. The passengers also included two infants.

The female Chinese tourist, surnamed Mak, was from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The Twin Otter Plane named 9NA-HH, flying to Jomsom from Pokhara on Wednesday at 7:47 AM local time, went missing nine minutes after taking off.

Tara Air in its announcement said three helicopters have been dispatched on a search and rescue mission from both land and air, but the weather condition has been unfavorable.