An airliner that crashed in northern China exploded seconds after take-off and “broke into flaming fragments” before plunging into an ice-covered lake, killing 54 people, but investigators found no evidence of terrorism, reports said today.

Rescuers are today searching for survivors after a Chinese plane carrying 112 people crashed into the sea near its destination in the port city of Dalian.

An airliner with 112 people on board crashed into the sea off the north east coast of China tonight after the captain reported a fire in the cabin.

A Chinese airliner with 112 people on board crashed into the sea off the north east of the nation tonight.