Plane crashes in Havana with more than 100 on board

By Brian Ries and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 2:38 PM ET, Fri May 18, 2018

What you need to know

What happened: A Cuban airplane crashed at takeoff from Havana airport. More than 100 people were on board the Cubana Airlines flight.
The victims: Cuban authorities believe more than 100 people were killed, state-run media reported.

5:21 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

Our live coverage has ended. Go here or scroll through the posts below to read about the plane crash.

5:12 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

5 crew members aboard plane were Mexican nationals

From Fidel Gutierrez in Mexico City and Natalie Gallón in Atlanta

The Mexican Civil Aviation Authority has said that five crew members aboard the plane that crashed in Cuba were Mexican nationals.

Mexican authorities added the Boeing 737-200 series, owned by Mexican company Damojh airlines and leased to Cubana de Aviacion, was nearly 30 years old.

The Mexican Civil Aviation Authority said the plane was taking off from Havana's airport Havana when it "suffered a failure and crashed into the ground." The crash occurred six miles from the airport.

The aircraft was headed to Holguín, Cuba.

The Mexican Embassy in Havana has activated emergency protocols.

4:56 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

Cuban officials fear over 100 dead in plane crash

From CNN's Patrick Oppmann and Natalie Gallón

Cuban officials fear that more than 100 people have died in the crash, according to Cuban state news.

Cuba TV reports that the General Calixto Garcia University Hospital received and are treating the only three survivors.

They are all women.

4:55 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

Cuba's president vows to open an investigation into the crash

From CNN's Natalie Gallón in Atlanta

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel lamented Friday's plane crash and said that authorities would investigate the crash.

He said a fire that erupted after the crash was extinguished. Diaz-Canel said no bystanders were injured and no homes were damaged at the site of the plane crash.

Diaz-Canel, speaking to journalists on Friday at the crash site, said he sent "condolences to the families for this tragic accident."

4:53 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

Venezuela's Maduro sends condolences to victims' families

(LUIS ROBAYO/AFP/Getty Images)

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro took to Twitter to send his condolences to the families of the victims of today's plane crash in Cuba.

“Strength and peace for them in their times of pain, they have all our support,” Maduro tweeted.

2:39 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

At least 3 survived the crash

From CNN's Natalie Gallón

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel at the scene of the crash.

Three passengers who were on board the plane that crashed in Cuba are in critical condition, Cuba state-run Granma reports.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is at the scene of the crash.

2:39 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

Photos show scene of the plane crash

These photos were taken at the scene of the accident after a Cubana Airlines flight crashed after taking off from Havana's Jose Marti airport this afternoon.

There were more than 100 people on board.

2:07 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

Video appears to show smoke rising from plane crash site

The footage below appears to show smoke rising from site of the Cubana Airlines flight crash, near José Martí International Airport in Havana, Cuba.

1:40 p.m. ET, May 18, 2018

More than 100 people on board plane that crashed

From CNN’s Patrick Oppmann and Marilia Brocchetto

Cuban state media reports that there were 104 people on board a plane that crashed shortly after takeoff at Havana's airport.

Boeing 737 plane was heading to the Cuban city of Holguin.

It is still unknown if there were fatalities.

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