An Aeromexico plane has crashed in the northern Mexican state of Durango after taking off in stormy weather, with 103 people on board.
Aeromexico’s Flight 2431 was en route from Durango, Mexico, to Mexico City on Tuesday when it went on a rapid descent moments after taking off, airline and state officials said.
The left wing of the twin-engine jet initially touched the ground, causing the plane to lose both of its engines. The plane then skidded off the runway at the Guadalupe Victoria International Airport until it stopped about 300 meters away.
Authorities said 85 people were injured – some seriously – in the accident, but nobody died.
Many of the 49 passengers taken to hospital after the crash received treatment for minor injuries and all are expected to live, according to the Durango state governor.
All passengers and crew members evacuated the plane using its emergency evacuation slides before flames engulfed the aircraft, officials said.
“The control tower noticed strong wind currents and this could have caused the accident,” Durango Gov. José R. Aispuro said in a news conference Tuesday night.
