Afghan plane crashes in Ghazni, aircraft identity unknown
A plane has crashed in Afghanistan’s Eastern Province of Ghazni, but there is still confusion over whether it was a passenger airliner or a military aircraft.
According to Press TV, initially Afghan government officials suggested that a Boeing plane belonging to the Ariana Afghan Airlines had crashed and exploded into flames.
But shortly after news broke of the crash, Ariana Airlines Acting CEO Mirzakwal denied that one of the company's jetliners had went down.
"There has been an airline crash but it does not belong to Ariana because the two flights managed by Ariana today from Herat to Kabul and Herat to Delhi are safe," Mirzakwal was quoted by Reuters.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Afghanistan also denied reports that the plane was a commercial flight.
"According to our information from the Control Tower and Traffic Regulatory Authority, no commercial airline crash has been recorded. And Ariana Afghan Airlines have reassured us that all their planes are accounted for," read a statement by the organization.
There is no information yet available on the number of passengers or crew.
The aircraft is said to have crashed in territory under the Taliban control and the militants were reportedly seen helping to put out the fire at the crash site.
Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said they were investigating the crash claims but were unable to comment further.
Afghan Special Forces were headed to the site to investigate the incident
A senior official in Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's office was quoted by Reuters as saying that the plane had crashed near Ghazni Province and authorities were still seeking details.
Before Mirzakwal's denial, Arif Noori, a Spokesman for the Provincial Governor's Office in Ghazni city, had said: "A Boeing plane belonging to the Ariana Afghan Airlines, has crashed in the Sado Khel area of Deh Yak district of Ghazni Province around 1:10 p.m. local time (08:40 GMT)," Reuters said, adding that it was not immediately able to contact Noori again.
ME
