Venezuela plane crashes with 47 on board

A plane carrying 47 people crashed shortly after takeoff in Venezuela today.

At least 23 people survived the crash and were taken to different hospitals, said Bolivar state Governor Francisco Rangel Gomez.

The plane from the state airline Conviasa crashed about six miles from the eastern city of Puerto Ordaz at about 10 am local time.

Transport Minister Francisco Garces said the plane went down on the property of the state-run Sidor steel foundry.

Forty-three passengers and four crew members were aboard, Garces said.

Garces said the plane was heading to Margarita Island when it crashed for reasons that were unclear.