Rescuers in southern Cameroon are set to resume searching for a Kenya Airways airliner thought to have crashed on Saturday with 114 people aboard.
Rescuers in southern Cameroon have resumed searching for a Kenya Airways airliner thought to have crashed on Saturday with 114 people aboard.
The flight, which originated in Ivory Coast, is believed to have come down in dense jungle after taking off in heavy rain from Douala en route to Nairobi.
The flight, which originated in Ivory Coast, is believed to have come down in dense jungle after taking off in heavy rain from Douala en route to Nairobi.
Searchers using helicopters are focusing on the Lolodorf area after reports of an explosion there.
Searchers using helicopters are focusing on the Lolodorf area after reports of an explosion there.
The missing come from more than 20 countries, including five Britons.
The missing come from more than 20 countries, including five Britons.
The Boeing 737-800 was just six months old and part of a new fleet bought by the airline.
The Boeing 737-800 was just six months old and part of a new fleet bought by the airline.
The presumed crash will raise questions about whether other aircraft will be taken out of service, the BBC's Karen Allen reports from Nairobi.
The presumed crash will raise questions about whether other aircraft will be taken out of service, the BBC's Karen Allen reports from Nairobi.
Kenya's national carrier has a good safety record but 169 people died when one of its planes crashed in 2000.
Kenya's national carrier has a good safety record but 169 people died when one of its planes crashed in 2000.
'Confusion'
'Confusion'
Flight KQ 507 originated in Abidjan and left Douala, Cameroon, at 0005 on Saturday (2305 GMT Friday), being due to reach Nairobi at 0615 (0315 GMT).
Flight KQ 507 originated in Abidjan and left Douala, Cameroon, at 0005 on Saturday (2305 GMT Friday), being due to reach Nairobi at 0615 (0315 GMT).
The last communication with the missing plane was received by the control tower in Douala, on the coast, shortly after take-off, Kenya Airways said.
The last communication with the missing plane was received by the control tower in Douala, on the coast, shortly after take-off, Kenya Airways said.
A distress signal was later sent out by the plane, Kenyan Airways chief executive Titus Naikuni said, adding that this would have been sent out automatically.
A distress signal was later sent out by the plane, Kenyan Airways chief executive Titus Naikuni said, adding that this would have been sent out automatically.
A BBC correspondent in Lolodorf says the situation there has been chaotic, and heavy rains on Saturday prevented a ground search from taking place.
A BBC correspondent in Lolodorf says the situation there has been chaotic, and heavy rains on Saturday prevented a ground search from taking place.
Aerial searches were called off after dark on Saturday but are expected to resume on Sunday.
'Anxious and desperate'
'Anxious and desperate'
Kenyan Transport Minister Chirau Ali Makwere - who is leading a team of Kenya Airways and government officials to Douala - said it was too early to determine what had happened to the plane.
Kenyan Transport Minister Chirau Ali Makwere - who is leading a team of Kenya Airways and government officials to Douala - said it was too early to determine what had happened to the plane.
NATIONALITIES OF MISSING 35 Cameroon15 India9 Kenya (crew)7 South Africa6 China6 Ivory Coast6 Nigeria5 Britain3 Niger2 Central African Republic2 Democratic Republic of Congo2 Equatorial Guinea1 Ghana; Sweden; Togo; Mali; Switzerland; Comoros; Egypt; Mauritius; Senegal; Congo; Tanzania; US; Burkina Faso 3 unidentifiedSource: Kenya Airways
NATIONALITIES OF MISSING 35 Cameroon15 India9 Kenya (crew)7 South Africa6 China6 Ivory Coast6 Nigeria5 Britain3 Niger2 Central African Republic2 Democratic Republic of Congo2 Equatorial Guinea1 Ghana; Sweden; Togo; Mali; Switzerland; Comoros; Egypt; Mauritius; Senegal; Congo; Tanzania; US; Burkina Faso 3 unidentifiedSource: Kenya Airways
"We need to get information from the technical experts as to whether it was occasioned by the weather or pilot error or mechanical fault," he was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.
"We need to get information from the technical experts as to whether it was occasioned by the weather or pilot error or mechanical fault," he was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.
A crisis management centre is now working in Nairobi.
A crisis management centre is now working in Nairobi.
Anthony Mitchell, a respected and well-known Associated Press journalist based in Nairobi, is thought to be among the missing Britons.
Anthony Mitchell, a respected and well-known Associated Press journalist based in Nairobi, is thought to be among the missing Britons.
There has been no confirmation from the Foreign Office.
There has been no confirmation from the Foreign Office.
On Saturday, there were distressing scenes at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where a number of worried friends and relatives gathered.
On Saturday, there were distressing scenes at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where a number of worried friends and relatives gathered.
"We can only hope for the best and pray... We're anxious and desperate," one man said.
"We can only hope for the best and pray... We're anxious and desperate," one man said.
The Kenya Airways website says the fleet is 23-strong. It is 26%-owned by Air France-KLM.
The Kenya Airways website says the fleet is 23-strong. It is 26%-owned by Air France-KLM.
In January 2000 a Kenya Airways plane crashed into the sea after taking off from Abidjan airport in Ivory Coast killing 169 people. There were 10 survivors.
In January 2000 a Kenya Airways plane crashed into the sea after taking off from Abidjan airport in Ivory Coast killing 169 people. There were 10 survivors.
Are you in the area? Have you noticed anything unusual with the Kenya Airways flight? Use the form below to send us details.
Are you in the area? Have you noticed anything unusual with the Kenya Airways flight? Use the form below to send us details.
