Havana plane crash: 'Around 100 dead' after Cuban airliner comes down shortly after take off
A passenger plane with 104 people on board has crashed shortly after take off from Havana's main airport.
State media reported that there were three survivors in a critical condition after the Boeing 737 jet, which was en route from Jose Marti International Airport to the eastern Cuban city of Holguin, came down. The announcement puts the presumed number of dead at 101.
Flight CU972 was scheduled to depart at 11am local time (4pm BST) and land an hour and 20 minutes later.
But the jet failed to make its destination and came down close to its departure airport, crashing into a field and railway line.
Photos posted on social media showing a large plume of thick, black smoke rising from near the terminal buildings.
The aircraft involved is believed to be a Boeing 737-200 on loan from a Mexican airline, Global Aerolineas Damojh of Guadalajara.
The plane was 30 years old, and had flown for seven other airlines — starting with Southwest of the US in 1988, and including a spell with Air Kazakhstan.
Reports say it lost height shortly after take-off and crashed in woodland close to the airport.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-a8358501.html