Boeing 737-200 CRASH 100+ Killed

A chartered Boeing B737-200 crashed at Havana airport shortly after take-off today, with 104 passengers and crew on board.

The flight was operating a scheduled charter flight to Holguin on behalf of Cuban tour operator Cubatur.

Currently there are reportedly three survivors in a critical condition after the Boeing 737 jet, which was en route from Jose Marti International Airport to the eastern Cuban city of Holguin, came down. The announcement puts the presumed number of dead at 101.

Flight CU972 was scheduled to depart at 11am local time (4pm BST) and land an hour and 20 minutes later.

But the very old aircraft failed to make its destination and lost height and crashed into the woods close to the runway.

Photos posted on social media showing a large plume of thick, black smoke rising from near the terminal buildings.

The aircraft involved is believed to be a Boeing 737-200 on loan from a Mexican airline, Global Aerolineas Damojh of Guadalajara.

The plane was 30 years old, and had flown for seven other airlines — starting with Southwest of the US in 1988, and including a spell with Air Kazakhstan.