/ 10 February 2004

Iranian plane crashes, two survive

One man and a child survived among 40 passengers aboard an Iranian aircraft that crashed and burst into flames on Tuesday on landing in the emirate of Sharjah, state television reported.

Several dead bodies were shown in dramatic footage of the burning wreck.

Rescue workers were battling through thick black smoke as firemen doused the wreckage with water.

”A passenger plane belonging to Kish Airlines came down between Ajman and Sharjah shortly after take off from Sharjah airport,” the television said.

The flight was heading for the Iranian Gulf island of Kish when it went down in an open area in the United Arab Emirates, the television said.

Police had earlier said the flight had been approaching Sharjah international airport when it crashed and gave the number of passengers as about 35. — Sapa-AFP