A press release was issued today by the on the circumstances of the crash of the Yemeni Airways passenger plane (Airbus 300-310) flight (IY 626), which was traveling from Sana'a airport to the airport of MORONI in the republic of Comoros, which read as follows:

It is with profound sadness and sorrow that we have received the information about loosing contact with the Yemen Airways Airbus 300-310 flight (IY 626). The plane took off at 18:45 GMT (9: 45 local time), from Sana'a airport heading to MORONI airport in Comoros

General statements:

1. The total number of passengers (153), including crew.
2. Passengers (139 +3 infants +11 crew).
3. Nationalities of the passengers will be authorized upon the arrival of information.
4. The weather was turbulent. Wind speed was (61) kilometers.


A higher committee, headed by Minister of Transport, has been formed to follow up with the incident, the search and rescue operations.

Other members of the committee are members of the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology, the head of Yemenia Airways, and a number of specialists.

A technical team was also formed to investigate the incident that is heading to MORONI this morning. French units also started the search and rescue operations using vessels and helicopters in coordination with the Comoros and the Yemeni authorities.
Information available from the initial search results is that, an oil spill was seen 16 – 17 nautical miles away from MORONI airport. Bodies were seen in the area; however, no more information is available so far.
Another statement will be reported as soon as new information arrives.

An information office has been formed at Sana'a International Airport to receive any media inquiries and to provide data on the incident.
Mohamed Abdul Kader Abdul Rahman, Deputy General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology, was named as the spokesman of the committee.