Plane crash kills five in Belguim, closes intl. airport
Rescuers gather around the crashed Cessna passenger plane at Charleroi airport, on February 9, 2013.
At least five people have been killed in a plane crash at Belgium’s Charleroi airport, forcing the international hub used by low-cost carriers to close.
The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. local time on Saturday, after the small aircraft, Cessna, had problems on take-off and crashed on the side of the runway.
“There was a problem on takeoff and they tried to come back, but unfortunately the plane crashed,” said Melissa Milioto, an airport spokeswoman.
Belga news agency said that the victims were all Belgian nationals and were three children and their mother and grandfather.
The airport, which is about 40 miles south of the Belgian capital, Brussels, was immediately closed after the accident. Several flights were cancelled and many others delayed at the beginning of the school’s half-term holidays.
“Our priority is dealing with this drama. Flights are being diverted to Liege and Brussels,” the airport spokeswoman added.
The airport was expected to re-open later in the day. It is the country’s second international airport and estimated to handle 140,000 passengers during the holiday period.
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