Seven killed in plane crash
2008-08-20 16:21
Madrid - An airliner bound for the Canary Islands swerved off the runway while departing from Madrid airport on Wednesday, Spain's national airport authority said. Local media reported at least seven people dead.
Television footage showed thick, white smoke rising from the scene.
Spanair flight JK5022 was bound for Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, a popular vacation islands off West Africa, the company said.
The airport authority gave information about the number of passengers or possible casualties. El Pais quoted officials at the Madrid regional health department as saying at least seven people died in the accident and about 20 were injured. It said 160 people had been on the plane.
An official with the Madrid emergency rescue service SAMUR said crews were removing injured people and bodies from the plane.
"It is certain catastrophe," a SAMUR official said on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to give his name.
Sky News reported, quoting Spanish government officials, that at least 50 people were killed in the crash.
- AP