At least 13 killed in Iran plane crash

A small Falcon jet crashed in north-western Iran today, killing at least 13 people, Iranian state TV reported.

It later added that the plane, which belonged to the elite Revolutionary Guards, was attempting an emergency landing when it crashed.

The plane crashed near Oroumieh, 560 miles north-west of the capital, Tehran, the report said.

It was the second air crash in Iran in two months. In December, 115 people were killed when a military transport plane crashed into a 10-storey apartment building near Tehran’s Mehrabad airport as the pilot was returning to the airport shortly after take-off to make an emergency landing.

Iran has a history of aircraft accidents involving a heavy loss of life. The government has blamed the US trade embargo which makes it impossible for Iran to buy parts for its old US-built aircraft.