High Casualties Feared As Afghan Plane Crashes

A local passenger plane has crashed in Afghanistan’s south-eastern province of Ghazni and a high number of casualties is feared, officials said on Monday.

“The plane crashed in Deh Yak district around 1.00 p.m. (1100 GMT).

“The plane caught fire immediately after the crash and it is unlikely that anyone survived the accident,’’ provincial governor spokesman, Arif Noori, said.

Provincial council member, Khaliq Dad Akbari, also confirmed the crash, saying that the death toll was unclear.

According to both officials, the crash area is controlled by the Taliban.

“Rescue teams had been dispatched to the scene but it was unclear whether Afghanistan Taliban militants would block them from reaching it,’’ Noori said.