Plane skids off runway in Madrid
 

A passenger plane has skidded off a runway on takeoff at Madrid airport, local media report.

Fatalities are feared and several injuries have been reported.

The plane belonged to Spanair, a major charter carrier, and some 160 people were on board at the time of the incident, reports say.

The cause of the apparent accident remains unknown. TV footage showed smoke billowing from the craft, which was destined for Gran Canaria.

Emergency services are attending the scene.

Weather conditions in Madrid were fine at the time of the incident

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/eu...rid/index.html

bit more on the story...

Reports that all but 25 feared dead.

EDIT: Spanish G'ment confirmed 30+ dead (this is all from airliners.net forums).

A/C was EC-HFP (MD82, CN53148/2072 Built 11/93, ex KAL) - Now 145 of 173 passengers confirmed dead.

This is awful, condolences from my family to all those affected by this tradgedy

This is really sad.
My thoughts are with those affected by this terrible tragedy.

condolences to all the peoples families involved.

It's amazing the 25 people survived, how on earth do you survive something like that. Where would they have been sitting?

In the right place at the right time.

Now the survivors have to live with the memories of such a horror, while at the same time try to feel blessed that they've been spared what would have been a horrible death for most.

Here's an interactive piece from the SMH:

http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/20...ash/index.html

Great way to invade privacy of people who lost their lives!!!


http://www.spanair.com/web/en-gb/DSi...of-passengers/