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Tehran plane crash: 40 feared dead after plane crashes during take-off Tehran plane crash: 48 killed after engine fails during take-off
(about 1 hour later)
A small Iranian passenger plane has crashed near the country’s capital Tehran, leaving at least 40 people feared dead, including small children, according to state media. A small Iranian passenger plane has crashed near the country’s capital Tehran, killing 48 people, including small children, according to state media.
The flight crashed near Mehrabad airport, west of Tehran, in a residential area after its engine went out, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. The flight crashed near Mehrabad airport, west of Tehran, in a residential area after its engine failed, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The Iran-140 jet that crashed is typically used for domestic flights, but Iranian reports have been conflicting in terms of who was operating the flight. State television said it was flown by Sepahan Air, while IRNA have reported it was Taban Air. Iran state television reported 40 people and eight crew members were killed in the crash. The aircraft was being operated by Sepahan Air and flying to Tabas, in eastern Iran.
“Initial reports indicate that 48 people aboard the plane have been killed, including seven children,” IRNA reported, while state television said only 42 people were aboard the flight when it crashed. Footage of the aftermath obtained by Sky News shows people walking around the crash site, which appears to be in the middle of a main road, while military personnel try to secure the area.
Military personnel try to clear the site of the crash
Cars surround what remains of the plane, which appears to be the tail of the aircraft sticking directly out of the ground, with broken pieces of the aircraft scattered around it.
The plane took off at 9.20am local time and crashed shortly afterwards.
The Iran-140 jet that crashed is typically used for domestic flights, and the footage confirmed the plane was operated by Sepahan Air.
“Initial reports indicate that 48 people aboard the plane have been killed, including seven children,” IRNA reported.
Iran has suffered a series of plane crashes, blamed on its ageing aircraft and poor maintenance record, and the country is reportedly still flying planes bought before the Islamic revolution in 1979, while many planes are thought to be fitted with unofficial parts.Iran has suffered a series of plane crashes, blamed on its ageing aircraft and poor maintenance record, and the country is reportedly still flying planes bought before the Islamic revolution in 1979, while many planes are thought to be fitted with unofficial parts.
There have been more than 200 accidents involving Iranian planes in the past 25 years, leading to more than 2,000 deaths, the BBC reports.There have been more than 200 accidents involving Iranian planes in the past 25 years, leading to more than 2,000 deaths, the BBC reports.
The last major crash was in January 2011, when 77 people were killed in an Iran Boeing 727 crashed during an emergency landing made because of a snowstorm.
Additional reporting by APAdditional reporting by AP