Plane skids off runway in Madrid

[Mike Scott]

A passenger plane has skidded off a runway on takeoff at Madrid airport, local media report.

Fatalities are feared and several injuries have been reported.

The plane belonged to Spanair, a major charter carrier, and some 160 people were on board at the time of the incident, reports say.

The cause of the apparent accident remains unknown. TV footage showed smoke billowing from the craft, which was destined for Gran Canaria.

Emergency services are attending the scene.

Weather conditions in Madrid were fine at the time of the incident

[Montague S]

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/eu...rid/index.html

bit more on the story...

[Rhys Xanthis]

Reports that all but 25 feared dead.

EDIT: Spanish G'ment confirmed 30+ dead (this is all from airliners.net forums).

[David Knudsen]

A/C was EC-HFP (MD82, CN53148/2072 Built 11/93, ex KAL) - Now 145 of 173 passengers confirmed dead.

[Jamie D]

This is awful, condolences from my family to all those affected by this tradgedy

[Greg F]

This is really sad.
My thoughts are with those affected by this terrible tragedy.

[Scott Lindsell]

Originally Posted by David Knudsen

A/C was EC-HFP (MD82, CN53148/2072 Built 11/93, ex KAL) - Now 145 of 173 passengers confirmed dead.

This machine also wears the 'Star Alliance' livery. I'm sure the first STAR livery to meet this sad fate.
I understand the passenger lists being published are somewhat standard procedures in some countries but looking at it there may be some families on board with 4/5 people lost.

[Tony G]

Technicians may face charges that caused the MD-82 to crash. Found this article on the net.

http://www.barcelonareporter.com/ind...equate_report/