At least 257 people have been killed when a military plane crashed upon take-off just outside the capital Algiers in what is clearly the North African nation’s worst-ever aviation disaster.
The military plane was carrying soldiers, their families and refugees, according to reports from Algeria.
247 passengers and 10 crew members reportedly perished.
The Soviet-designed Il-76 military transport plane crashed in an agricultural zone with no residents and the cause of the crash is unclear. An investigation has been opened.
Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has declared three days of national mourning following the military plane crash in Boufarik, Blida, the ministry said in a statement.
All Algerian diplomatic and consular representations abroad have been ordered to lower the flag to half-mast and open the book of condolence.
Two centers have been opened under national solidarity in the province of Blida to deal with the concerns of the families of the victims of the military aircraft crash in Boufarik.
Algeria has suffered a string of military and civilian aviation disasters in recent years with two military planes colliding mid-air in December 2012.
