WEB DESK
At least 257 people were killed in a military plane crash today. According to state TV, the military transport plane crashed into a field shortly after take-off at Boufarik airport, southwest of Algiers.
A member of the Algerian ruling party, however, earlier said the victims of the plane crash included 26 members of the Western Saharan Polisario Movement.
Update 3: Death toll in #Algerian military plane crash climbs to 257 – State TV https://t.co/NPE2Ad5BJK #Algeria pic.twitter.com/dztpYYBtuJ
— Ahram Online (@ahramonline) April 11, 2018
The defence ministry said in a statement that 247 passengers and 10 crew were killed without mentioning any survivors.
Deputy Defence Minister General Ahmed Gaid Salah visited the site and ordered an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. The Ilyushin II-76 transport plane was bound for Tindouf in southwest Algeria.
Algeria has suffered a string of military and civilian aviation disasters.
A member of the Algerian ruling party, however, earlier said the victims of the plane crash included 26 members of the Western Saharan Polisario Movement.
The head of the army has ordered an investigation into the crash and will visit the scene, according to a statement from the Defence Ministry.