Yet another sad day.
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - An Air Algerie jet crashed shortly after takeoff in southern Algeria on Thursday, killing 97 people on board, the airline said.
The crash of the Boeing 737 took place just minutes after the plane left Tamanrasset, in southern Algeria. The plane was headed toward the capital, Algiers.
At least one person survived the crash, airline officials said. There were 97 passengers on the plane and an unknown number of crew members.
Prime Minister Ali Benflis convened an emergency crisis unit to deal with the crash, thought to be the first in the history of Algerian commercial aviation. Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni and Transportation Minister Abdelmalek Sellal were headed to the scene.
Tamanrasset, at the base of the Hoggar Mountains, is a stop for travelers in the Sahara Desert and is known for its ancient archaeological sites and prehistoric paintings and engravings.
Tamanrasset is 800 miles south of Algiers.
RIP