International

Cuba Plane Crash: Over 100 Dead After Boeing 737 Crashes In Havana

Darpan News Desk, 18 May, 2018 05:21 PM

A Boeing 737 domestic passenger plane, with 104 passengers including five children and nine crew members from Havana to Holguin, came down shortly after takeoff.

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel said there are three survivors, all women, who are in critical condition, reported news agency Reuters. Rescue operations are underway at the site; the fire has been put out and authorities are trying to identify the bodies.

Boeing, in a statement, said it was apprised of the crash and was closely monitoring the situation. According to flight tracker, the aircraft was CU972, which departed from Havana at 11 am local time.

Firefighters were trying to extinguish its smoldering remains. Government officials including President Miguel Diaz-Canel rushed to the site, along with a large number of emergency medical workers and ambulances. Residents of the rural area said they had seen some survivors being taken away in ambulances.

A military officer who declined to provide his name to reporters said that there appeared to have been only three survivors in critical condition, but other officials declined to confirm that figure.

The plane was rented by Cubana, which has taken many of its aging planes out of service in recent months due to mechanical problems. Cuba’s First Vice-President, Salvador Valdes Mesa, met Thursday with Cubana officials to discuss improvements in its heavily criticized service.

Harrowing video captures moments after passenger jet carrying 104 passengers hit the ground in Cuba, exploding into a massive fireball. https://t.co/AheZpJc6CO pic.twitter.com/XiFsGagjtC
— ABC News (@ABC) May 18, 2018

MORE: Eyewitness video shows the aftermath of a passenger jet carrying 104 passengers crashing shortly after takeoff in Cuba. So far, three survivors have been found among the wreckage. https://t.co/IAUjBl6fUe pic.twitter.com/CbIT0sXdII
— ABC News (@ABC) May 18, 2018

#Boeing737 crash in #Cuba:
- Plane ‘struck power line’
- Over 100 killed
- 3 survivors in hospitalhttps://t.co/CiTSFqEiED pic.twitter.com/WfXPGPSuNc
— RT (@RT_com) May 18, 2018

UPDATE: At least 100 people were killed in a plane crash near Havana, according to Cuban authorities. https://t.co/f5Beb4aIzn
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) May 18, 2018

#UPDATE More than 100 killed after Boeing 737 crashes in #Cuba https://t.co/mFwrmKscri pic.twitter.com/mqhC6Ehoyo
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) May 18, 2018

Prev Next

MORE International ARTICLES

Nisha Biswal To Head US-India Business Council

Nisha Biswal, a former US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, will head the US India Business Council (USIBC), according to an official announcement.

Nisha Biswal To Head US-India Business Council

Donald Trump Asks Congress To Enact Merit-based Immigration, Silent On H1-B Visas

While keeping mum on H1-B visas, US President Donald Trump has asked Congress to introduce a merit-based immigration system that could benefit Indians but would also deny green cards to some relatives of immigrants.

Donald Trump Asks Congress To Enact Merit-based Immigration, Silent On H1-B Visas

WATCH: Todd Stone Joins B.C. Liberal Leadership Race, Which Now Has Eight Candidates

The latest hopeful to launch a campaign for the leadership of British Columbia's Liberal party was a member of former premier Christy Clark's cabinet, a fact that Todd Stone says has taught him tough lessons about losing.

WATCH: Todd Stone Joins B.C. Liberal Leadership Race, Which Now Has Eight Candidates

Thompson Rivers University Vice-President Christopher Seguin Died Of Accidental Overdose: Family

Relatives of Christopher Seguin say in a statement that the 39-year-old man was taken to hospital following an overdose in his hotel room in Victoria and died Sept. 22

Thompson Rivers University Vice-President Christopher Seguin Died Of Accidental Overdose: Family

Mayor Sadiq Khan To Visit India, Pakistan To Promote London

London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on Tuesday that he would visit India and Pakistan this year to promote the British capital as a destination of choice for trade and cultural ties.

Mayor Sadiq Khan To Visit India, Pakistan To Promote London

Please Don't Misinterpret: Jasleen Josan Says After Social Media Fame Over Mars Mission That Wasn't

Kurukshetra girl Jasleen Josan who became an Internet sensation after news reports about her being selected for Nasa’s Mars Mission in 2030 has on Facebook clarified that it isn’t the case.