Many fatalities feared in Iranian plane crash

An aircraft carrying 105 passengers has crashed while trying to reach Orumieh Airport.

Travel Insurance News - 10/01/2011

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At least 72 people were killed when an Iranian jet liner with 105 people on board crashed when it was prevented from landing at Orumieh Airport. The plane was flying from the Iranian capital, Tehran, to Orumieh, capital of Iran’s West Azerbaijan province.

The plane, a Boeing 727, came down in a rural section of north-west Iran. The aircraft belongs to IranAir, the country’s national carrier.

At the time of the crash, severe weather had prevent the plane from landing. The site of the crash is near the southern shores of Lake Orumieh.

The number of injured was put at 33 but could be higher, according to Fars, Iran’s semi-official news agency. Fars said 72 people had died. Ten of the injured taken to hospital were said to be in critical condition.

IRNA, the Iranian state news agency, announced that initial reports said the plane had crashed near Termini village along the southern coast of Lake Orumieh. IRNA added that according to reports, the jet’s attempt to land at Orumieh airport were disrupted by poor weather. The plane had apparently departed for a second landing attempt when it went of radar screens.

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