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Plane crashes into DR Congo city Plane crashes into DR Congo city
(10 minutes later)
Scores are feared dead after an aircraft carrying about 80 people crashed into a commercial area of Goma in the 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 Birere district. Six survivors were pulled to safety while many people were feared dead on the ground in the 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.
This makes Goma a particularly difficult spot for take-off, local sources in the aviation industry say.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.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.
Doctors' strikeDoctors' strike
Officials said six people aboard the plane had survived, including the pilot and co-pilot.Officials said six people aboard the plane had survived, including the pilot and co-pilot.
British MP Eric Joyce, who heads the Commons all-party group on the Great Lakes region of Africa, witnessed the scenes at a hospital about a mile from the crash site.British MP Eric Joyce, who heads the Commons all-party group on the Great Lakes region of Africa, witnessed the scenes at a hospital about a mile from the crash site.
"The injuries seem to be primarily people on the aircraft but it's very hard to tell," he told the BBC."The injuries seem to be primarily people on the aircraft but it's very hard to tell," he told the BBC.
"Certainly a lot of people around here have been affected, there are lots of relatives and casualties coming in."Certainly a lot of people around here have been affected, there are lots of relatives and casualties coming in.
"The problem appears to be that there aren't enough vehicles to get everyone out.""The problem appears to be that there aren't enough vehicles to get everyone out."
Mr Joyce added doctors in the city had been holding a strike on TuesdayMr Joyce added doctors in the city had been holding a strike on Tuesday
"So I think doctors will be making their way to the hospitals but at the moment but they may not have all been in the hospitals when this crash took place," he said."So I think doctors will be making their way to the hospitals but at the moment but they may not have all been in the hospitals when this crash took place," he said.


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