skip to main content

Black box found after Venezuelan air crash

Venezuela - 161 killed in air disaster
Venezuela - 161 killed in air disaster

Investigators have found one of the black box flight recorders from a Colombian jet that crashed earlier today killing all 161 people on board. 

The West Caribbean Airways jet crashed in a mountainous area near Venezuela's border with Colombia. 

The 153 passengers and eight crew members were en route from Panama to the French Caribbean island of Martinique.

The French Civil Aviation Authority has said that all on board are believed to have been from Martinique.

The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control after leaving Panama.

Authorities in Venezuela said it suffered engine trouble and made a distress call at 8am Irish time before losing contact.