89 people killed in two plane crashes

EIGHTY-NINE people were killed yesterday in two air crashes, one in Turkey and the second in the United States.

Early reports suggested that at least 68 people perished when a Turkish Airlines jet crashed in south-eastern Turkey last night.

Up to eight people were initially believed to have survived, but authorities were unsure of that figure and suspected there may have been fewer. The plane had been en route from Istanbul to the city of Diyarbakir when it crashed on approach to land, according to an Istanbul airport official. Heavy fog shrouded the airport at the time of the crash. The official said the plane came down two miles short of the airport, which is used by both military and civil aircraft. The jet was carrying 71 passengers and five crew. Three of those who miraculously survived were taken to hospital in Diyarbakir, where a spokesperson said “they are not seriously injured.”