Dozens feared dead as Iranian passenger plane crashes

An Iranian passenger plane with 66 people on board has crashed in central Iran during a flight from Tehran to Yasuj in southwestern Iran.


The ATR-made plane, operated by Iranian carrier Aseman Airlines, came down in a mountainous area near the town of Semirom, according to emergency services spokesman Mojtaba Khaledi.

Authorities say the aircraft disappeared from radar shortly around 50 minutes after taking off from the capital. There is no word yet on what may have caused the crash.


The semi-official Mehr news agency reports that rescue helicopters are unable to land because of heavy fog and that emergency workers are trying to reach the area by land.

Iran has suffered several plane crashes in the past few decades. Tehran says US sanctions have long prevented it from buying new aircraft or spare parts from the West.