|
60 dead in Equatorial Guinea plane crash
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-18 07:51
MALABO (AFP) - Sixty people were killed when a Russian-built Antonov plane
crashed in flames in Equatorial Guinea shortly after takeoff from the capital
Malabo, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema said.
A file photo of the
Antonov-24 passenger plane. | In a radio message
to the nation, Obiang declared a three-day period of national mourning following
Saturday's crash which, he said, had killed mostly young Equatorial Guineans and
women.
The plane, which went down on a domestic flight in thick jungle, "was
completely destroyed, burned and there were no survivors," national radio
announced earlier, playing somber music as it reported the news.
Thousands of distraught family and friends besieged Malabo airport and later
the hospital after the confirmation of the crash.
"Our people are going through the worst moments of grief, consternation and
sadness ever known in their history," Obiang declared.
"This tragedy affected many families to whom we send our condolences ... and
our solidarity," the president continued.
At first the government had said a total of 55 people were on the ageing
48-seater Antonov-24, while the operating company, the private airline Ecuatair,
said its records showed there were 35 passengers and 10 crew.
|
 | | | Taiwan braces for typhoon, markets shut Monday | | |  | | | Giant Panda tours city | | |  | | | Bus crash kills 17, injures 37 in Hubei | | |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
