An Air Algerie jet crashed shortly after takeoff in southern Algeria on Thursday, killing 102 people on board, the airline said. One person survived.
The crash of the Boeing 737 occurred minutes after the plane left Tamanrasset bound for the capital, Algiers.
There were 97 passengers on the plane and six crew members, airline officials said, according to AP.
Prime Minister Ali Benflis convened an emergency crisis unit to deal with the crash, thought to be the first in the history of Algerian commercial aviation. Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni and Transportation Minister Abdelmalek Sellal were headed to the scene. (Albawaba.com)
