Latest news report on elmundo.es (below) is at least 50 dead and the number is rising. one of the left engines caught fire, hence the plane couldn't take off and went off the runway. Aircraft has split in two. At least 20 people have got out so far.

MADRID.- El número de víctimas sigue subiendo. Al menos 50 personas han fallecido en el accidente que ha sufrido un avión de la compañía Spanair al despegar en la T-4 del aeropuerto de Barajas (Madrid). Viajaba con 160 pasajeros a bordo y cubría la ruta Madrid-Gran Canaria. La nave está ardiendo y ha producido una enorme columna de humo, por lo que se sospecha que podría haber más víctimas en su interior.

El avión, el vuelo AJK 5022, viajaba con 160 pasajeros a bordo y cubría la ruta Madrid-Gran Canaria.

Según las primeras hipótesis, se habría incendiado uno de los motores izquierdos de la nave, lo que le impidió despegar y provocó que se saliese de pista y se incendiase.

Fuentes del Samur informan de que hay 20 heridos.

Los servicios de la Comunidad de Madrid y 11 camiones de bomberos trabajan en estos momentos en la zona. Al menos 20 personas han conseguido salir ya de la nave, que se ha partido en dos.

Fuentes de Spanair han confirmado a elmundo.es que la dirección de la aerolínea ya está reunida, se ha activado un protocolo de emergencia y están tratando de esclarecer las identidades de los pasajeros.

El alcalde de Madrid, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, ha salido hacia el aeropuerto nada más conocer el suceso para seguir en persona todos los detalles de lo ocurrido.

According to BBC, Spanish Government have confirmed deaths, but no numbers yet. :(

el mundo now reports 50 dead, at least 20 been found alive

At least 20 dead according to El País.

emergency services now saying at least 21 dead, 50 hurt

el mundo has just confirmed 50 fatalities. the wrekage looks to be very spreadout on the footage they are posting on thier website.

Reports now that the aircraft made an RTO earlier, went back to the gate for inspection then went out again for another attempt...

Journo speaking to BBC from Madrid saying that the plane aborted first attempt at take off - returned for mechanical check.. on the second attempt reports of an explosion, aircraft has come to rest between two runways..

Dreadful news to hear of this tragedy. As someone not involved in aviation in any way, so not in the know at all, do you as pilots receive information when events such as this happen to enable you to try and avoid similar incidents? Not wanting to remove from the tragedy involved, I would have thought it a good learning experience for you as professionals.

Madrid government has confirmed 7 deads.

TV reports:
Flight Spanair JK5022, destination Las Palmas (GCLP).
After rejected take-off plane was inspected by TMA and during second attempt, engine #1 starts firing and plane crashed near runway.

25 dead, 57 injured according to the latest reports.

As always in the early stages the witnesses are of varying reliability and have varying language capabilities.

The only people who know what's really going on are probably a bit busy onsite right now.

Journalist on BBC just stated that a/c took off at 14:35. Flight Stats quote runway departure as 14:14 and gate departure as 13:09. 14:35 was possibly the second, disasterous take off and 14:14 the first, aborted attempt. The interval between gate departure and the first take off attempt seems a long time, or is this typical at Madrid? Alternatively, does it suggest problems even before the first take off attempt?

SFS

At least 25 dead according to official sources.

Is it just my imagination but do the MD-8x range seem to be involved in more accidents than other types of aircraft?

Terrible news to read.

BBC said it was delayed for over an hour before the first take off - They said no idea why.

Madrid
 

Latest figure 148 fatalities.:sad:

BBC no stating from reuters via an emergency services source -

ALL but 25 people of 175 are feared dead...

Reuters reporting all but 25 died now

flight international reporting iminent spanair industrial action due to imminent job losses.wonder if this was a contributing factor to the pilots and staff state of mind.