The airliner of Venezuelan has crashed in Venezuela. The plane has crashed in the Andean mountain state of Merida at a point some 4,750 metres above sea level. The twin-engine plane owned by Venezuelan airline Santa Barbara failed to contact control towers as expected after it took off from Merida en route to Simon Bolivar International Airport outside of Caracas.

The French-made ATR 42-300 carrying 43 passengers & three staff members took off from Merida’s airport about 5 p.m. & was declared missing 30 minutes later. Rescue teams were being sent to the area where the plane crashed.