Boeing passenger jet with over 100 passengers crashes after taking off from Havana
Andrea Rodriguez/AP Photo
Cuba's state-run media reported that a Cubana Airlines Boeing 737 has crashed shortly after takeoff.
The flight was headed from Jose Marti International Airport in Havana to the city of Holguín in the eastern part of Cuba.
Reports indicated there were 104 passengers on board.
A passenger jet crashed after taking off from José Martíi International Airport in Havana, Cuba. According to CNN, Cuba's state-run television reported that the aircraft involved was a Boeing 737 operated by the country's state-owned carrier, Cubana Airlines.
Witnesses told the AFP that they saw a large column of smoke appear near the airport.
The flight was believed to be Cubana Flight 972 from Havana to the city of Holguín in the eastern part of the country. There were 104 passengers on board. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said there was a high number of victims.
The AP reports, citing a military officer, that there were only three survivors of the crash and all were in critical conditions. Other officials declined to confirm the survivor totals for the AP.
The aircraft involved in the incident was reportedly a Boeing 737 wet-leased by Cubana Airlines from Mexican airline Global Air. (According to aviation-tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft involved in the incident was initially believed to be a 26-year-old Boeing 737-400 operated by Blue Panorama Airlines for Cubana Airlines. But Blue Panorama has since told Flightradar24 that its plane was not involved.)
In a statement to Business Insider, Boeing said it was "aware of news reports out of Cuba and closely monitoring the situation." According to CBS News, this was Cuba's third major fatal crash since 2010.
Cubana's director general told state media that the US embargo has made it difficult to acquire new-generation aircraft and parts for its existing fleet, CBS News reported.
The airline has flown 11,700 more passengers than expected from January to April 2018.
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UPDATE: A Boeing 737 operated by state airline Cubana crashed on takeoff from Jose Marti International Airport in Havana with 104 people on board https://t.co/eLTumRHSKR pic.twitter.com/sGb7F5z1JN Tweet Embed:
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Cuba president says 'high number' of victims after plane crashed on takeoff in Havana. The 737 went down in a field adjoining the airport. Cuban media say 104 people were on board; the plane was en route to Holguín, 800 km east of Havana. (Photo courtesy https://t.co/ZGiMRGueqo) pic.twitter.com/fmxUAmODql Tweet Embed:
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.@CNN has obtained video that appears to show smoke rising from the plane crash site, near José Martí International Airport in Havana Cuba. pic.twitter.com/oObs4WKvXU Tweet Embed:
//twitter.com/mims/statuses/997547400838381568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
CONFIRMAN TRES SOBREVIVIENTES TRAS DESASTRE AEREO EN CUBA. IMAGENES DE LA TELEVISION EN LA ISLA. EN EL VUELO IBAN 104 PASAJEROS Y NUEVE TRIPULANTES #news #tv #world #Havana #plane #crash #airport #Cuba #USA #Florida #Mexico pic.twitter.com/mCLZzJYJjF
An earlier version of this story, based in part on a CNN report, misstated that the plane was headed to Guyana.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
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