26/05/2003

Spanish peacekeepers die in plane crash

More than 60 members of Spain's armed forces, who had been deployed as peace keepers in Afghanistan, have been killed following a plane crash in Turkey.

The plane, a Ukrainian Yak 24, crashed into a mountainside in the early hours of this morning. Weather conditions were poor and visibility was limited to 10 metres due to heavy fog. The crash site is 30 miles south of Trabzon airport.

A spokesperson for the Spanish government said that 62 soldiers were killed in the crash, but unconfirmed reports suggest that, including civilian cabin crew, the death toll may be as high as 74. There are no reports of any survivors.

The plane was on route from Kyrgystan to Zaragoza in Spain when in approached Trabzon airport to refuel. However, the plane disappeared from radar screens at 4.45am after it made a third attempt to land in the deteriorating conditions.

It has been reported that 25 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage.

(GMcG)

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