Over 100 dead in Libyan plane crash
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Image: Lucien Schranz.
An Afriqiyah Airways-owned aeroplane, originating from South Africa, has crashed on approach to Tripoli International Airport in Libya at around 06:00 Eastern European time (0400 UTC). Initial reports indicated everyone on board died, which officials say is 93 passengers and 11 crew, but later developments say an eight-year-old boy was the sole survivor; however, this is unconfirmed.
The plane left Johannesburg in South Africa with the aim of transferring at Tripoli before heading to the final destination, United Kingdom's London Gatwick Airport. Officials have ruled out terrorism as a cause of the crash, which is still undetermined. A security official said the plane "exploded on landing and totally disintegrated."
In a statement, Afriqiyah Airways said, "We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims[;] the search and rescue mission has now been completed."
The crew on the plane were all of Libyan nationality, officials claim, while the passengers included Libyans, South Africans, Dutch and Britons. In response to reports of British citizens being on board the crashed plane, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said, "We are urgently investigating. A consular team from the British Embassy are on their way to the airport. Consular staff in Tripoli are urgently seeking further details."
Sister links
Sources
- "Plane crash in Libya 'kills more than 100 on board'" — BBC, May 12, 2010
- Mark McDonald. "Jet With 104 Aboard Crashes in Libya" — New York Times, May 12, 2010
- "Over 100 dead in Tripoli airport plane crash, 8-year-old sole survivor" — India Times, May 12, 2010
- "Plane Carrying 104 Crashes in Libya, 1 Survivor" — FOXNews.com, May 12, 2010
