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Iran suspends search for plane crash

February 19, 2018

Iran's state media reported the Aseman Airlines passenger plane crashed in the country's south in a foggy, mountainous region, killing all 65 people on board. Heavy fog and snow have disrupted search efforts.

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A turboprop regional airliner operated by Iran Aseman Airlines
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/EADS ATR

Search and rescue teams struggled in poor weather conditions on Monday to locate the site where an Aseman Airlines passenger plane that went down the day before.

Rescue teams search Iranian passenger plane

Everyone on board Flight EP3704 died in a crash, Aseman Airlines spokesman Mohammad Taghi Tabatabai told state TV on Sunday. The plane was believed to be carrying 59 passengers and six crew members. Earlier reports put the death toll at 66.

Read moreIran plans to buy aircraft from France to build up ageing fleet

The ATR-72 twin-engine turboprop disappeared from the radar about 45 minutes after taking off from Tehran and crashed near its destination of Yasuj, some 780 kilometers (485 miles) south of the Iranian capital.

Map showing Semirom and Tehran in Iran

Heavy wind and snow in the area forced authorities to suspend the search on Sunday. Several helicopters scoured the mountainous region on Monday, but were also forced to return to base early due to poor weather conditions.

"Unfortunately due to strong winds and fog reducing visibility, it was not possible for helicopters to continue their search," a Red Crescent official told the ISNA news agency. Forty-five teams were also deployed to the remote region.

Read more: Iran receives first Airbus jetliner 

A helicopter joins the search for a downed airplane in Iran
Image: Mehr

Investigation launched

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences and encouraged everyone involved "to heal the sorrow of the families and relatives of victims," according to the the IRNA news agency.

President Hassan Rouhani said he had assigned officials to investigate the crash and apply measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. 

Germany's foreign ministry issued its condolences via Twitter.

Aging aircraft

After decades of international sanctions against Iran, the country's commercial passenger aircraft fleet has aged, with air accidents occurring regularly in recent years.

Following the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran signed deals with both Airbus and Boeing to buy scores of passenger planes worth tens of billions of dollars.

Read more: What is the Iran nuclear deal?

rs, bik,law/ng (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)

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