08/07/2003

Briton feared dead following plane crash in Sudan

A British citizen is feared dead after a passenger jet crashed in Sudan shortly after take-off killing 116 people.

The Foreign Office has confirmed that a British passenger was aboard the plane, but no name has yet been released as relatives are still being contacted.

Initial reports from the scene claimed that one passenger, believed to be a two-year-old child, survived the crash, which killed the crew of 10 and the 106 passengers on board the Sudan Airways Boeing 737.

The flight was an internal service from Port Sudan on the Red Sea to the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

According to Sudanese media reports the pilot had reported getting into difficulties three miles after take off and was attempting to return to the airport in Port Sudan. The plane came down as it was returning to the airport.

The passenger manifest listed seven foreign nationals on the flight, including one Briton.

(SP)

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