Plane crashes on takeoff in Iran killing at least 40

TEHRAN, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- A passenger plane crashed during takeoff Sunday at Mehrabad airport near Tehran, Iran, killing at least 40 people.

The Iran-140, en route to Tabas in the eastern portion of the country, crashed shortly after takeoff at 9:18 a.m.

Tasnim news reported 40 people died in the crash, though the Tehran Times reported up to 48 people, including eight crew members, died.

Iran's Civil Aviation Organizations was assigned to investigating the crash, which the Tehran Times reported was likely due to engine shutdown.

The Iran-140, a turboprop regional airliner, is also known as an Antonov An-140.