Dozens are feared dead after an aircraft carrying about 80 people crashed after taking off from Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Scores are feared dead after an aircraft carrying about 80 people crashed into a commercial area of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
At least six survivors were pulled from the wreckage as rescuers fought the blaze in the city's business district.
At least six survivors were pulled from the wreckage as rescuers fought the blaze in the city's Birere district.
The DC-9 plane belonged to the private airline Hewa Bora and had been en route to the capital Kinshasa.
The DC-9 plane belonged to the private airline Hewa Bora and had been en route to the capital Kinshasa.
DR Congo has one of the world's poorest air safety records with eight crashes in 2007, Reuters news agency notes.
DR Congo has one of the world's poorest air safety records with eight crashes in 2007, Reuters news agency notes.
A third of the runway at Goma's airport was affected by a lava flow from a volcanic eruption that occurred there six years ago.
A third of the runway at Goma's airport was affected by a lava flow from a volcanic eruption that occurred there six years ago.
Local sources in the aviation industry say this makes Goma a particularly difficult spot for take-off.
This makes Goma a particularly difficult spot for take-off, local sources in the aviation industry say.
'Buckets of water'
'Buckets of water'
The plane came down in the business district of Birere, which the BBC's Arnaud Zajtman says is the beating heart of the city.
The plane came down in the business district of Birere, which the BBC's Arnaud Zajtman says is the beating heart of the city.
A plume of black smoke rose from the wreck of the plane in the area which is home to small shops and restaurants.
Dozens of people are also feared to have been killed on the ground, our correspondent adds.
Dozens of people are also feared to have been killed on the ground, our correspondent adds.
"Half of the plane has broken off," one witness told Reuters.
"Half of the plane has broken off," one witness told Reuters.
"There is a fire towards the back. People are coming with buckets of water to put out the fire. The [United Nations] is here trying to keep back the crowds."
"There is a fire towards the back. People are coming with buckets of water to put out the fire. The [United Nations] is here trying to keep back the crowds."
The witness added that one building had been destroyed and two others were charred by the fire.
The witness added that one building had been destroyed and two others were charred by the fire.
Officials said six people aboard the plane had survived. They reportedly included the pilot and co-pilot.
Officials said six people aboard the plane had survived. They reportedly included the pilot and co-pilot.
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