Plane skids off runway in Madrid

[Mike Scott]

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