Indian Ocean plane crash: All 29 passengers survive
All 29 passengers survived their plane crashing into the Indian Ocean shortly after takeoff Tuesday from an airport in Moroni, Comoros Islands.
According to CNN, the people on board the Inter-Iles Air flight were helped back to shore by nearby fisherman. The plane had been bound for Anjouan, another island in the Comoros.
A senior military official who gave the name Zarouk was on board the plane, and said aircraft fuel was leaking "like an open tap" after takeoff, reported Reuters. He alerted the pilot, who decided to turn around and return to the airport, but was unable to land in time.
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CNN said that an investigation was underway into the cause of the crash.
Abu Mohamed Ali, director general of Civil Aviation for the Comoros Islands, told Reuters that the 25 passengers and four crew on board were safe. The pilot suffered head injuries and the others were unhurt.
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