Thaindian News

TRIPOLI (BNO NEWS) — Around 100 people were killed after an Afriqiyah Airways passenger plane from South Africa crashed in the Libyan capital on early Wednesday, officials said. At least one passenger, a Dutch child, survived.

Afriqiyah Airways Flight 8U0771, an Airbus A330, crash-landed around 6 a.m. local time on its final approach to Tripoli International Airport. It departed OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa at around 9.30 p.m. local time on Tuesday and was scheduled to land in Tripoli at 6.20 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

The airline said the plane was carrying a total of 93 passengers and 11 crew members, but their nationalities were not immediately released by Afriqiyah Airways.

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said he had been informed about the plane crash and sent his condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, as well as to the Libyan people. “Some 100 people have died no doubt from many countries around the world; this is a tragedy,” Buzek said. “I have also been informed that one eight year old child has survived, which given this tragic event, is truly a miracle.” Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said the surviving child had a Dutch nationality.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims,” the airline said in a statement. “The search and rescue mission has now been completed and casualties have been moved to various hospitals.” A spokesman said details about casualties would be released during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

“Our prime objective is to prevent accidents from happening and every effort is being done [to] address any failure in our safety management system,” Afriqiyah Airways said. “At this moment we cannot speculate further and will relay to you all factual information as we receive them.”

SOS International confirmed that a total of 62 Dutch citizens were on board the plane when it crashed. Of those, 24 had booked their flight through Kras.nl.

Britain’s Foreign Office said it was ‘urgently investigating’ reports that British nationals were on board the plane, which was scheduled to continue its flight to London’s Gatwick Airport after a brief stop in Tripoli. “A consular team from the British Embassy are on their way to the airport,” a spokesperson said. “Consular staff in Tripoli are urgently seeking further details.”

The office later said they had received a passenger list and are currently checking it to see if there were any British nationals on board.

Relatives and friends who are seeking information may call +27 1050 01918 from South Africa, +218 21 334 1181 from Libya, and +44 203 3552 737 from the United Kingdom and all other countries. Relatives and friends of Dutch victims may call the ANWB at +31 88 269 2112.