Tarun 6 Report post Posted February 12, 2002 * * * Iran Plane Crash 'Kills 117' One plane has crashed into snow-covered mountains near western Iranian city of Khorramabad, reportedly killing all 117 people on board. A government official told Reuters news agency that four government officials and two foreigners were among those who perished on Tupolev 154, which disappeared from radar screens while flying from Tehran to Khorramabad on Tuesday morning. Plane was totally destroyed and scattered in small pieces across mountain. Crash Witness Aircraft was operated by Iran Air Tours, subsidiary of state carrier Iran Air. Local resident told Reuters that plane had crashed into mountain close to airport as it was landing in city about 375 kilometres (230 miles) south-west of capital. He said: "Plane was totally destroyed and scattered in small pieces across mountain." Relatives Gather Dozens of relatives of passengers gathered at Tehran Mehrabad Airport. "Where are you? What happened to you," shouted Nasrin Shafiiyan, beating her face and chest, as she waited tearfully for information about fate of her husband Houshang, who was on plane. Local official in Cheghini, 35km (21 miles) from Khorramabad, told the French news agency AFP that the wheels and other pieces of plane had been located near village of Sarab-Doreh, west of Khorramabad. Previous Crashes July 2001 - 143 die on Tu-154 near Irkutsk, Russia May 2001 - 30 die on Russian-built Yak-40 in northern Iran February 1993 - 132 die when Tu-154 crashes into military plane near Tehran He said mountaineers would be needed to recover bodies from area. A statement from Civil Aviation Organisation of Iran said heavy snow in region, which lies east of Zagros mountain range, was preventing search teams from reaching scene of crash. Villagers in mountainous Yaft-e Kouh area heard "big explosion" after plane went down, state radio said. Ageing Fleet There was no immediate information on cause of crash, but Iranian television reported that President Mohammad Khatami had ordered formation of emergency committee to investigate accident. BBC Tehran correspondent says weather in region is not too bad, which will raise questions about why crash happened. It is latest in series of incidents involving ageing Russian-built aircraft leased by companies in Iran. In May 2001, all 30 passengers on board chartered Russian-built Yak-40 died when it crashed on flight to north-east of country. US Sanctions Blamed Among dead then were transport minister and all seven members of region's parliament. Officials blamed crash on bad weather and pilot error. Another Tu-154 plane crashed near Irkutsk in Russia last July, killing all 133 passengers and 10 crew members aboard. Under US sanctions, Iran has had difficulty obtaining spare parts for its ageing fleet of Boeing aircraft purchased before 1979 Islamic revolution and relies increasingly on planes leased from former Soviet Union. Iran has said US stance on spare parts endangers lives of innocent passengers. WATCH/LISTEN: ON THIS STORY BBC's Jim Muir reports from Teheran "Plane lost radio contact just 10 minutes before it was about to land" See also: 12 Feb 02 | Middle East How safe is Tu-154? 05 Jul 01 | Europe Russia mourns plane crash victims 19 May 01 | Middle East Lightning blamed for Iran plane crash 18 May 01 | Middle East Iranian minister's crashed plane found 17 May 01 | Middle East Iran minister's plane crashes 08 Feb 02 | Country profiles Country profile: Iran Internet links: Aviation Safety Network Tupolev 154 Iranian presidency BBC is not responsible for content of external internet sites Top Middle East stories now: FBI warns of new terror attack Iran plane crash 'kills 117' Israel launches fresh incursion Thousands join anti-US rally in Iran Emirates ban Potter book Egyptian rights group 'cannot protect gays' Official resigns after 'talking to Israelis' Hamas' potent new threat Links to more Mid-East stories at pagefoot. Links to more Middle East stories In This Section FBI warns of new terror attack Iran plane crash 'kills 117' Israel launches fresh incursion Thousands join anti-US rally in Iran Emirates ban Potter book Egyptian rights group 'cannot protect gays' Official resigns after 'talking to Israelis' Hamas' potent new threat How safe is Tu-154? Putin warns US on Iraq Arab MPs warn against US attacks Dissident Syrian MP 'refused' treatment Afghan embassy re-opens in UAE In pictures: Iranians march against US Iran's reformists on defensive Analysis: Iran and 'axis of evil' Looking back at Iran's revolution Saudi says 'no anti-US Hajj' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
