Cargo plane crashes into bus in Ghanaian capital

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Created on Saturday, 02 June 2012 00:00

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Cargo plane crashes into bus in Ghanaian capital

02 June 2012

Crash happened just outside Kotoka International airport in Accra after plane failed to take off   

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Associated Press in Accra

A spokesman for Ghana's fire service says at least 10 people died when a cargo plane crashed in the country's capital, Accra.

Bill Anaglate said the number of dead could rise. Anaglate said all the dead were in cars that the plane crushed when it failed to take off from Kotoka International airport on Saturday night.

The crash happened just outside the airport, which is near newly built high-rise buildings, hotels and the country's defence ministry. Witnesses said the plane first smashed through the fence that runs around the airport before hitting a bus and cars.

Police and soldiers quickly cordoned off the neighbourhood where the plane crashed. The area is near to El-Wak sports stadium and Hajj Village, where Muslims in the country stay before they journey to Mecca.

Local television showed images of the plane lying across a road with its tail damaged as the flight crew jumped off and received help from emergency responders.

Witnesses said the plane was labelled as belonging to Allied Cargo.

Ghana, a nation of more than 25 million in West Africa, has not had a major airplane crash in recent years. The last air emergency the country had was in June 2006, when a TAAG Linhas Aereas De Angola flight to Sao Tome hit birds during takeoff. The plane landed safely and none of the 28 people onboard were injured.

Source: The Guardian UK