Iranian rescuers find wreckage from plane crash

Iranian search and rescue teams reach the site of a plane crash that authorities say killed all 65 people on board, Iran’s Press TV reports.

The Aseman Airlines ATR-72, a twin-engine turboprop used for short-distance regional flying, went down on yesterday in foggy weather, crashing into Mount Dena in a remote area of southern Iran. The airliner said all on board Flight EP3704 were killed, including six crew members.

The crash of the aircraft, brought back into service only months ago after being grounded for seven years, was yet another fatal aviation disaster for Iran, which for years was barred from buying necessary airplane parts due to Western sanctions over its contested nuclear program.

#Iran continues search for plane debris in mountains https://t.co/M8P2XzxqXV pic.twitter.com/hFy98VtiRl

— Press TV ???? (@PressTV) February 19, 2018

Press TV says search teams reached the crash site before dawn this morning. The station says the weather had improved, though it was still windy.

The TV broadcast footage of a helicopter joining the search and showed ambulances and rescue vehicles preparing to reach the site on Mount Dena, which is about 4,400 meters (14,400 feet) tall. The site is reportedly at a height of 3,500 meters (11,500 feet).

— AP