A passenger plane has crashed - reportedly shortly after take-off - in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek.
A passenger plane has crashed shortly after take-off from Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, killing a large number of those on board.
There were reported to be at least 83 people on board. Unconfirmed reports said there were at least 25 survivors, but that many people may have died.
The head of Kyrgyzstan's civil aviation authority said that out of about 90 passengers and crew, only about 20 people have survived.
Reports say the Itek Air Boeing 737 took off bound for Mashhad, in north-eastern Iran, but then turned round.
The Itek Air Boeing 737 took off bound for Mashhad, in north-eastern Iran, but turned round some 10 minutes later.
"It took off and reported a technical problem and tried to return to the airport," an airport spokeswoman said.
An airport spokeswoman said the crew had reported a technical problem.
The plane was returning to Bishkek airport but crashed before it could land, the spokeswoman said.
Officials from a nearby US base said they were trying to help with the rescue effort.
Officials from a nearby US base said they were trying to help with the rescue effort.
"At the moment rescue teams, fire brigades and medics are rushing to the crash site," a spokeswoman for the US air base located in Manas, 30km (20 miles) from Bishkek, told Russia's RIA news agency.
"At the moment rescue teams, fire brigades and medics are rushing to the crash site," a spokeswoman for the US air base located in Manas, 30km (20 miles) from Bishkek, told Russia's RIA news agency.
There was confusion over the number of people on board - with reports ranging from 83 to 123.
There was confusion over the number of people on board - with reports ranging from 83 to 123.
Yelena Bayalinova, spokeswoman for the Kyrgyz health ministry, told the Interfax news agency that many victims of the crash had suffered burns, and that some were in critical condition.
Yelena Bayalinova, spokeswoman for the Kyrgyz health ministry, told the Interfax news agency that many victims of the crash had suffered burns, and that some were in critical condition.
The plane reportedly belonged to Itek Air, a Kyrgyz company, but was operated by Iran Aseman Airlines.
The plane belonged to Itek Air, a Kyrgyz company, but was operated by Iran Aseman Airlines.
Itek Air is on a list of airlines banned from EU airspace because of fears over safety standards.
Itek Air is on a list of airlines banned from EU airspace because of fears over safety standards.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the crash?
Are you in the area? Did you witness the crash?
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