UAE | General
43 passengers died in Sharjah air crash
A Kish Airlines flight crashed near Sharjah International Airport at 11.40am this morning, killing 43 of 46 people aboard the aircraft.
- By Abdullah Arbab and Shadiah Abdullah
- Published: 00:00 February 10, 2004
A Kish Airlines flight crashed near Sharjah International Airport at 11.40am this morning, killing 43 of 46 people aboard the aircraft.
The twin-engined Fokker 50 aircraft, flight IRK 1770, crashed 3km from the airport complex at the Sharjah-Ajman border.
"The aircraft came down in Al Ramaqiah between two residential areas, initially crashing on a road before coming to rest in an uninhabited area," stated Dr Ghanem Al Hajri, director general, Sharjah Civil Aviation Authority.
The scheduled flight was coming from Kish Island, and was on a 'visa change' run, he added.Thirty-eight were confirmed dead at the site, while two succumbed subsequently to their injuries at hospital. There were three survivors, while three others were still missing in the wreckage, he said.
With rescue officials quickly on the scene, the casualties were evacuated to the nearby Al Qasimi Hospital. "The crash did not cause any injuries on the ground," Dr Al Hajri clarified.Kish Airlines officials declined comment. It is understood the top officials from the airline were out of station.
Airport sources added passengers aboard the aircraft included different nationalities, with Indians and Filipinos making up the maximum numbers. They added UAE Civil Aviation authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
Eyewitnesses who happened to be watching the aircraft coming in to land stated it appeared to be in difficulty and almost crashed into a villa before the pilot managed to nurse the visibly struggling aircraft a few metres further before it crashed onto the road.
"It was a miracle there were no injuries on the ground," said a housewife, who saw the plane flash by through her window before crashing into a ball of fire.
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Latest news
- Tracks to be laid on recycled material
- Golden Hour crucial to a patient's survival
- Opening show worthy of UAE
- Sun is shining on prospects for solar power
- Artists focus on craftsmanship
- World leaders committed to supporting civilians
- Schools open a new page in teaching English
- Special parking to help disabled tourists
- Helping hand surgeons have long sought
- Blind woman lights up corridors of power
- In Mind
- At times, I think of committing suicide
- Designer of a creative haven
- Fund to help Dubai taxi drivers' families
- New life-saving fleet of vehicles
Community Reports
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
-
Leukaemia boy granted wish to meet footballer
Emirati meets hero Al Qahtani, Al Ain team
