ALGIERS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 105 soldiers on Wednesday morning were killed in a military plane crash in Blida province, 30 km southwest of Algiers, Ennahar private television channel quoted official sources as saying.
An Ilyushin I76 troop carrier belonging to the Algerian Air Force crashed Wednesday morning in the perimeter of the military airbase of Boufarik in Blida province, Defense Ministry confirmed in a statement.
Official sources noted that the plane was departing for the western province of Oran.
A thick black smoke emanated from the crashed jet, which could be visible from the highway linking Algiers to Blida.
Emergency services have been dispatched to the site of the crash.
