Madrid plane crash death toll rises to 153

(21 August 2008)

The number of people known to have died in the Madrid plane crash has reached 153. Among the dead are citizens of Spain, Germany and Chile, including two babies and 20 children. Seven of the 19 survivors are critically ill in hospitals in Madrid. The Spanair flight was carrying 172 people, including crew, when it crashed during take-off from Madrid to Las Palmas yesterday. Spain has declared three days of mourning and flags are flying at half mast. An investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched.