afrol News, 11 June - Dozens killed as Sudan Jetliner carrying more than 200 people bursts into flames after landing at international airport in Sudan's capital, Khartoum last night.

An investigation has also been launched to determine what caused the plane to veer off a runway and burst into flames after landing.

The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that 103 passengers and all 11 crew members survived the crash, adding that some might have fled the scene which makes an exact count difficult.

Aviation authorites have also requested passenger list from their counterpart in Amman, Jordan, to determine who was actually on board, as the original was destroyed in the crash. The flight originated in Damascus, Syria, then made a stop over in Amman.

A survivor speaking at the airport to Sudan TV said the landing was rough with a sharp impact. "The right wing was on fire," recalled the passenger.

He said smoke got into the cockpit and people started opening the emergency exits saying in no time, the plane was engulfed by fire.

Mr Yusuf Ibrahim, director of Khartoum's airport, told Sudanese national television that the plane had landed safely and that pilots were in contact with the control tower when fire occurred.

He stated that cause of fire was technical, but only an investigation will determine the precise reason for fire. "The aircraft was turning around very slowly to go to its parking area, then one of the engines exploded and a fire broke out," he said.

Flight landing in the country's capital was delayed due to unpleasant weather and it was then diverted to Port Sudan Airport along the Red Sea to pick up 35 passengers and refueling before heading to Khartoum.

Sudan has a poor aviation safety record with the recent crash in remote area of southern Sudan killing 24 people. The other incidence was in 2003 when Sudan Airways Boeing 737 en route Port Sudan to Khartoum crashed soon after takeoff, killing all 115 people on board.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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