Numerous people are confirmed to have died in a horrifying plane crash.

The shocking accident happened today in the western province of Artemisa, in Cuba.

Local reports stated the Aerogaviota flight disappeared early this morning before crash landing in an area that is "difficult to access by land".

Early reports stated there were 39 people on board the domestic flight and "no survivors".

However, the Cuban Government later said the aircraft was carrying eight soldiers when it smashed into the side of a hill.



The military said in a written statement the Soviet-made AN-26 took off from the Playa Baracoa airport, just outside Havana, at 6:38am before crashing about 40km away.

A Cuban aviation source said earlier: "The area is difficult to access by land, and the preliminary report is that there are no survivors.

"Even though it's nothing official, members of a commission came to my house to let me know what happened."

In 2002, four Brits, including a couple on their honeymoon, were among 16 who died in when a small plane went down near the Cuban city of Santa Clara.
[ads4]
The single-engined Antonov AN-2 – the same aircraft that crashed today – spiralled out of control near a dam around 160 miles from the capital, Havana.

According to witnesses, the bi-plane flew very low to the ground and appeared to be missing a wing before it plummeted into the water.