Swiss Jet Crashes Near Zurich, at Least 10 Dead

17/05/2001| IslamWeb

BIRCHWIL (Reuters) - A Swiss airliner crashed on its approach to Zurich airport late on Saturday after a flight from Berlin, killing at least 10 of the 33 people aboard and injuring others.Police at the wintry crash scene near the town of Birchwil, just a few miles from the runway, said at least nine people had so far been found alive.
Rescuers said they feared others could be wandering dazed in the dark in surrounding woodland and fields.
There was no immediate word on the victims' nationalities.
Dozens of emergency workers with search lights and dogs were already combing the woods for possible survivors in the early hours of Sunday.
The four-engined jet, operated by Crossair, was on an instrument landing approach when it crashed just minutes before reaching Zurich airport.
There was no word on the cause of the crash but the police spokesman said there was no indication the plane had been attacked.
The plane's two black boxes were found within little more of an hour of the crash and were checked for any clues as to what might have caused the crash, officials said.