Algeria military plane crash: Death toll rises to 257, say Algerian emergency services

An Algerian military plane crashed on Wednesday near Boufarik airport near the capital Algiers, killing at least 181 people, local media and a witness said.

The plane was carrying more than 100 military personnel, a local TV station said. The Algerie Presse service agency said the Iliouchine-type plane was headed for Bechar in south-western Algeria.

The incident occurred around 8 a.m. local time (3 a.m. EDT), when the aircraft, which was transporting troops, crashed. A fire broke out at the scene of the crash, which was recorded by witnesses and uploaded on social media.

Emergency services have been dispatched to the site of the crash.

More details awaited.

— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2018

(Video Credit: video dzTOP)