Four dead after plane chartered by the French Army

[Edoman]

Ivory Coast after taking off in the thunderstorm - as rescue crews pull SURVIVORS from the wreckage

• The Antonov An-26 crashed on take off from Abidjan international airport 
  
  
• The 42-year-old aircraft crashed into the ocean 500 metres from the runway 
  
  
• Four people have died and six are injured. Two of those have serious injuries 
  
  
• Witnesses claim the aircraft was trying to take off during a thunder storm 
  
  

At least four people died when a 42-year-old Soviet-built cargo aircraft crashed into the ocean moments after leaving Abidjan, capital city of the Ivory Coast. 
The aircraft, which was carrying cargo for the French military broke up after crashing onto the beach. 
Several members of the crew survived according to reports on local media. The airport management company confirmed that six of the crew were injured with two of them in a serious condition. 


[*]
The Soviet-built Antonov AN-26 crashed moments after taking off from the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan while carrying cargo for the French military killing at least four people

+10
<img id="i-31260f78b5b7d17b" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/14/11/45513F4500000578-4980092-image-a-48_1507978772361.jpg" height="845" width="634" alt="Witnesses said the aircraft crashed into the ocean moments after taking off from the airport" class="blkBorder img-share"/>

• Copy link to paste in your message
  
  
  

[*]
Witnesses said the aircraft crashed into the ocean moments after taking off from the airport




+10
<img id="i-672991f7bf1f3490" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/14/12/4551419D00000578-4980092-image-a-50_1507978812550.jpg" height="409" width="634" alt="Miraculously, several people were pulled alive from the wreckage of the aircraft " class="blkBorder img-share"/>

• Copy link to paste in your message
  
  
  

[*]
Miraculously, several people were pulled alive from the wreckage of the aircraft 
It is believed that there were ten people on board the aircraft. 
The propeller-driven aircraft took off in heavy rain when it crash landed on the beach. 
RELATED ARTICLES

• Previous
  
  
• 1
  
  
• Next
  
  

• Royal Navy bomb disposal divers save tanker packed with...Schoolgirl, 16, killed herself a day after the funeral of...
  
  

[*]
Share this article
Share
Witnesses say the aircraft crashed moments after taking off. They said they saw at least four bodies, but officials couldn't yet confirm it.
Hundreds of onlookers gathered at the beach Saturday as rescue workers ran to the scene.

+10
<img id="i-49b15874f72b16d3" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/14/13/45518BF900000578-4980092-image-a-63_1507982960044.jpg" height="369" width="634" alt="The aircraft, pictured, was an Antonov An-26 operated by Moldovian airline Valan Air" class="blkBorder img-share"/>

• Copy link to paste in your message
  
  
  

[*]
The aircraft, pictured, was an Antonov An-26 operated by Moldovian airline Valan Air




+10
<img id="i-a47e12415c1aa5d7" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/14/12/455141A900000578-4980092-image-a-52_1507978849752.jpg" height="471" width="634" alt="Thousands of people made their way to the crash site to watch the rescue operation" class="blkBorder img-share"/>

• Copy link to paste in your message
  
  
  

[*]
Thousands of people made their way to the crash site to watch the rescue operation

+10
<img id="i-b253a9b2edaf675d" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/14/12/4551419900000578-4980092-image-a-57_1507979401533.jpg" height="472" width="634" alt="Air crash investigators are currently trying to determine what caused the disaster" class="blkBorder img-share"/>

• Copy link to paste in your message
  
  
  

[*]
Air crash investigators are currently trying to determine what caused the disaster
Security guards on site said the plane was carrying material for the French army. It was unclear how many people were inside the plane.
The plane wreckage, broken into pieces, was scattered in the shallow waters.
Local weather reports suggest the aircraft attempted to take off during a thunder storm and stalled while climbing from the runway crashing into the ocean moments later.  
The aircraft, which was built in 1975, was owned by a Moldovan airline, Valan International Cargo Charter.
Ivory Coast's security minister Sidiki Diakite confirmed four French citizens are among the injured. He said the four people are Moldovans. Two other Moldovans were injured.
A spokesman for the French military Lt Villain said the aircraft was carrying cargo for French forces. 
The injured have been taken to Abidjan's Port-Bouet camp for treatment.
French forces are in the region as part of the anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane. 
MailOnline has approached the company for a comment.  



Rescuers removed the bodies from the scene as the injured were being treated

Rescuers removed the bodies from the scene as the injured were being treated 

Locals tied ropes to some of the wreckage in an attempt to salvage it from the ocean

Locals tied ropes to some of the wreckage in an attempt to salvage it from the ocean

Ivorian officials confirmed there are four French citizens among the injured