21 dead in Madrid airport crash

At least 21 people are reported dead after a plane skidded off the runway and crashed at Madrid-Barajas airport.

21 dead in Madrid airport crash
Wednesday, 20 August 2008 15:45 fmplusnews

At least 21 people are reported dead and 40 hurt after a plane skidded off the runway and crashed at Madrid-Barajas airport.

There are conflicting reports about the number of fatalities.

The Spanair flight JK5022 was en route to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands at the time.
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It is understood the plane was attempting an emergency landing shortly after takeoff when it crashed and caught fire.

Eleven fire trucks are at the scene.

The aircraft, which has a capacity of 166 passengers, had 160 people on board.

Spanair is Spain’s second biggest airline after Iberia and is a subsidiary of Scandinavian carrier SAS.

there more then 100 people feared dead on runway “31”  heading from South to north and short off stopping from the main raod m-50

Jesus, I just flew that route two months ago.

More:

Nearly 150 people are feared dead after a plane overshot the runway at Madrid’s Barajas airport, according to Spanish media reports.

Only 25 people survived when Spanair flight JK 5022, which had 173 people on board, crashed after swerving off the runway at the airport’s terminal four, according to the Reuters news agency.

The Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that at least 100 people had been killed, while Spanish government sources said 45 people had so far been confirmed dead, with another 19 people seriously injured.

The incident happened after the plane attempted to take off for a second time. Some observers said one of the left engines caught fire as the plane accelerated, causing it to swing off track. The plane reportedly broke in two during the crash.

The airport has been closed. An official with the Madrid emergency rescue service SAMUR said crews were removing injured people and bodies from the plane. “It is certain catastrophe,” the official said.

Eleven fire engines were reportedly at the scene. The El Pais website said the accident sparked a small fire on a grassy area.

The flight was bound for Las Palmas, in Gran Canaria. Among the passengers on board the MD82 plane were two children.

Press release

Palma de Mallorca, 20th of August 2008, 15.45 p.m.

Spanair regrets to confirm that its flight number JK 5022, from Madrid to Las Palmas de Gran Canarias was involved in an incident at Madrid, at 14.45 hrs local time today.

JK is a code share* flight with Lufthansa LH 2554

Spanair is doing everything possible to assist the Spanish authorities at this difficult time, and has established a local help-line number for relatives or friends of those who may have been on board.
The number is. +34 800 400 200
Spanair will provide further information as soon as it becomes available.

Note to Editors: we ask journalists to contact the media information centre that has been specially established to provide you with updated information. The number is +34 91 625 87 03.  Please do not call the passenger help line.

Friends & Relatives phone only: +34 800 400 200

Media only: +34 91 625 87 03

*Code-share ? When two or more airlines state their flight number in the timetable for the same flight, while only one of the airlines operates the flight.