At Least 257 Reported Killed In Algerian Military Plane Crash

A video grab shows emergency services working at the scene after a military plane crashed soon after takeoff at Boufarik military base on April 11.

At least 257 people were killed when an Algerian military plane crashed in the North African country, media reports say.

The plane was carrying military personnel when it crashed near Boufarik airport in northern Algeria on April 11.

Twenty-six members of the Polisario Front were said to be among the dead. The Algerian-backed group is fighting for the independence of Western Sahara from Morocco.

The plane crashed minutes after taking off from Boufarik military airport.

The state news agency said the Soviet-designed Il-76 plane was headed for Bechar in southwestern Algeria.

The cause was not immediately known.

Boufarik is located some 30 kilometers from the Algerian capital, Algiers.

Based on reporting by Reuters, BBC, AFP, AP, and TASS