An Iranian passenger airplane carrying 40 passengers crashed in a residential area shortly after taking off from Tehran´s Mehrabad airport early morning today, Iran´s official IRNA news agency reported.
Initial reports were that 40 passengers, including seven children, were killed in the crash, IRNA reported. No information was available on whether anyone on the ground was injured.
The plane was bound for Tabas in northeastern Iran and crashed into the Azad residential block on Mina 6 Boulevard, it reported.
IRNA reported that an engine shutdown caused the crash.
Due to international sanctions Iranian aviation has not been able to service her aging fleet and has to rely on parts from the black market, effectively increasing the chances of such tragic accidents.
