The crash of Brazilian carrier, TAM”s A320 at Congonhas Sao Paulo Airport is thought to have left up to 200 people dead.
The aircraft, operating as flight JJ3054 from Porto Alegre to Sao Paulo, is believed to have ploughed off the end of a wet runway, across a road and into buildings, one of which could have been a petrol station.
Precise details are still sketchy, but television pictures show the blazing wreckage of the A320 surrounded by firefighters near a very busy road. Some 176 passengers and crew were on board.
”The accident happened at 18:45 last night,” noted a TAM spokeswoman from Brazil, ”but at the moment we are not confirming any fatalities or not.” TAM also declined to say what casualties were suffered on the ground, but added an update would be forthcoming later today.
Weather reports indicate that heavy rain had fallen and although not fully confirmed, speculation has mounted that the aircraft skidded off the end of the runway, across the road and possibly into a petrol station and warehouse.
A spokesman for the Brazilian Embassy in London translated a statement from TAM that read: ”We are working with great speed and care to confirm the identity of the passengers on board flight JJ3054. As soon as the names are confirmed, TAM will inform the families before any information becomes public.
”We would like point out that TAM has put into effect its programme of assistance to victims and family members.”
Brazilian president, Lula da Silva has also declared an official three day period of mourning.
The tragedy marks a black period for Brazilian aviation with last year”s fatal collision between a Gol Boeing 737-800 and an Embraer Legacy aircraft, still being reviewed.