Airline confirms death

“We extend our deepest condolences to the passengers and crew involved in the plane crash.”the announcement of China Eastern Airlines said.

The Shanghai-based airline on March 21 also switched its website and social media pages to black and white. However, the company did not provide specific information on the number of people killed.

Chinese media said there were no signs of survivors.

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) confirmed that the Boeing 737 of China Eastern Airlines departed from Kunming city, Yunnan province to Guangzhou city, Guangdong province and lost contact. while flying over Wuzhou city in Guangxi province.

There were 123 passengers and 9 crew members on board.

China State Television (CCTV) said the Boeing 737 caused a forest fire.

According to aeronautical data of Flightradar24, the plane took off at 13:11 and is expected to land around 3:05 pm on March 21.

According to FlightRadar24, data from MU5735 was suddenly interrupted at 14:22 (local time), when the aircraft was at an altitude of nearly 1,000 m and was traveling at a speed of nearly 700 km / h.

Meanwhile follow CBS Newsthe plane was flying at an altitude of 9,100 m when it suddenly lowered its altitude.

A Boeing representative said they are aware of initial information about the crash and are working to gather more information.

After the accident on April 21, the Chinese financial news agency Yicai China Eastern has requested that all of its Boeing 737-800 planes be grounded pending the results of the investigation.

China Airlines has not confirmed this information.

According to CCTVChina Eastern has set up nine separate teams to handle the wreckage, investigate the accident and assist the families of the passengers.