A Chinese plane carrying 132 people crashes in the southern region of Guangxi
A China Eastern Airlines jet of 132 passengers crashed in the mountains in southern China's Guangxi region on Monday afternoon, the country's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) said.
A Boeing 737 was en route from the southwestern city of Kunming to Guangzhou when it lost contact with the city of Wuzhou. The CAAC said there were 123 passengers and nine crew on board in a statement published online.
China Eastern Airlines confirmed the details and said it had activated emergency procedures, including emergency numbers for family members.
China Eastern offered condolences to those killed in the incident without confirming the death toll. The company lengthens its deepest condolences to the passengers and crew who died in the plane crash," the airline said in a statement. Boeing said in a statement: "Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew of China Eastern Airlines MU 5735.
The company counted that it has contacted the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and that its technical experts are available to assist with the CAAC investigation. Later Monday, the NTSB said it had "appointed a senior aviation security investigator as an accredited US representative in the investigation," led by CAAC.
The NTSB said that Boeing, CFM engine manufacturer, and the US Federal Aviation Administration would also be involved in the investigation. This agreement is the standard for aircraft accidents involving US-made Boeing aircraft in other countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has requested the country's emergency services to "organize search and rescue operations and determine the causality of the incident," state media reported. After the incident, President Xi Jinping immediately issued instructions on launching emergency mechanisms, organizing search and rescue, and properly handling the aftermath," state broadcaster CCTV said.
The plane lost contact with emergency services before "landing suddenly" around 2:19 p.m., the Chinese government and state media said Monday. "An east China plane (flight MU5735) lost contact at 14:15... Rescue crews are heading to ground zero, and rescue operations are being prepared," the Guangxi Emergency Management Department said.