48 killed in crash near Mehrabad Airport

An Iranian regional passenger plane crashed this morning in a residential area near Tehran's Mehrabad airport the state-run IRNA news agency reported. The reports say that all 48 people on board the Iran-140 (a locally assembled variant of the Antonov An-140 turboprop) died in the crash
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Iranian state television said the 48 people on board included 40 passengers and eight crew members. The aircraft was operated by Sepahan Air, was heading to Tabas, in eastern Iran.
It crashed shortly after take off at 9:20 a.m. local time (0450 GMT). Members of the Revolutionary Guard worked to secure the crash site while security and rescue personnel combed the wreckage.
This is the latest in a succession of air accidents in Iran which the Iranians blame on ageing aircraft and poor maintenance brought about by sanctions. Talks are ongoing between US and Iran which could end the sanctions soon.