117 feared dead in Iran plane crash

TEHRAN, Iran, Feb. 12 -- A Russian-built Tupolev-154 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near the western city of Khorramabad Tuesday, apparently killing all 117 people aboard, the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization said.

Reza Jafarzadeh, of the CAO, said the plane, owned by Iran Air Tours, disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff Tuesday morning from Mehrabad International Airport and then crashed in the mountainous Cheguini region.

Jafarzadeh said search teams were dispatched to the crash site. There was no immediate word on what might have caused the mishap.NEWLN: Content: 03010000 04015000 11006000