At least 38 people have been killed when an Iranian aircraft crashed in Tehran on Sunday morning.
Initial reports had said that all 48 passengers and crew on board had died when the Sepahan Air passenger plane en route to the city of Tabas came down on a road shortly after taking off from Mehrabad airport. It now appears that at least 10 people have survived.
“I suddenly saw a plane. There was a roaring sound. I felt something was landing on me. As soon as I stopped my motorcycle I fell on the ground, the plane was so near to the ground. I saw everything clearly. One wing was tilting to one side. As soon as it landed it crashed into a wall and then there were several explosions,” said eyewitness, Hassan Molla.
Families of the victims have been gathering at hospitals in Tehran.
At least five passengers on board were children.
The aircraft’s black box has reportedly not yet been found.
Iran’s airlines have suffered a large number of accidents, which Iranian politicians blame on international sanctions that don’t allow them to replace their aging fleets.
Planes have been kept in service because of parts imported into the country on the black market.
The safety record for the carriers has led to most Iranian flights being prevented from landing in theEU.
