Twenty-four people are feared dead following a plane crash near Zurich in Switzerland last night. Earlier, the search for 14 missing passengers was called off. Twenty-eight passengers and five crew members were on board Crossair flight LX 3597 from Berlin to Zurich.
Speaking to reporters, police commander Peter Grueter said: "The search and rescue phase has been ended. Unfortunately, no more survivors have been found." Nine survivors have been taken to hospital.
Police have confirmed that Swiss, German, Dutch, Austrian, Canadian and Israeli passengers were on the flight. However, a breakdown of the dead and missing was not given.
The police commander said that two of the survivors are in a critical condition in hospital, three are stable and four are "doing well under the circumstances". Nearly 200 police and fire fighters took part in the rescue attempts.
The four-engine Crossair plane was just minutes from Zurich airport when the crash occurred. It is the second Crossair plane to crash since January 2000.
It is not yet know what caused the crash, however, police have said that it is unlikely that it was the target of a terrorist attack. Both flight recorders have been recovered.
Crossair Chief Executive André Dosé has extended his sympathies to those who lost loved ones in the crash. In a message on the company's website, he says: "Our hearts go out to everyone who was onboard this flight, and to their loved ones, as well as anyone on the ground who may have been involved in the tragic event. We will hold them all close in our thoughts and our prayers."
Crossair has said that it is co-operating with relevant authorities in an investigation into the crash. The airline has pledged to post all news, statements and information related to flight LX 3597 on its website as soon as it becomes available. Click on www.crossair.com
