Relatives identify bodies of Spain plane crash victims
Washington, 21 August (IranVNC)—One day after a plane crashed in Spain killing 153 people, relatives of the deceased have identified 25 bodies so far, AP reports.
By: IranVNC
Published: Thursday, August 21, 2008
18:58GMT—2:58PM/EST
SPAIN – PLANE CRASH
Washington, 21 August (IranVNC)—One day after a plane crashed in Spain killing 153 people, relatives of the deceased have identified 25 bodies so far, AP reports.
The flight was headed for the Canary Islands when it crashed shortly after taking off. Only 14 people survived the fiery accident.
The process of identifying those killed could take several days because most were burned beyond recognition, and DNA techniques are the only means of identification, said Spain’s Development Minister Magdalana Alvarez, according to AP.
Spain’s El Pais newspaper said that one of the engines of Spanair Flight JK5022 failed and caught fire while it was taking off, AP reports.
However, questions remain as to why the plane went down, as experts say that the plane was designed to fly with one engine in the case of an emergency.
According to rescue workers’ reports, the only people who survived the crash fell into a nearby stream and avoided burns, Reuters reports.
The crash was Spain’s worst aviation disaster since 1983.
Sources: Associated Press, Reuters
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