M A I N   N E W S

Gulf Air plane crashes

MANAMA, Aug 23 (AP) — A Gulf Air Airbus A320 on a scheduled flight from Bahrain to Cairo crashed today in the Gulf several minutes after taking off from Bahrain International Airport, Information Ministry officials said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials did not know now many passengers were on board flight GF072 but the airline’s Airbus A320s have been configured to seat up to 129 passengers, according to the Gulf Air website.

State-owned Bahrain television said the crash was caused by a fire in one of the aircraft’s engines.

In the Capital Manama, scores of ambulances were seen heading toward the airport. Helicopters were also seen flying in the same direction.

Gulf Air is owned by Bahrain, the Gulf states of Oman and Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the largest of seven sheikdoms making up the United Arab Emirates. Based in Bahrain, it flies to 53 international destinations.