Havana, Cuba (CNN)A Cubana de Aviacion Boeing 737 crashed on takeoff from Havana's Jose Marti International Airport on Friday, according to Cuba's state-run television.
The flight was headed to the Cuban city of Holguin and casualties are reported, an airport source told CNN.A large fireball followed by a towering plume of smoke was visible near the airport on the outskirts of the Cuban capital, according to witnesses.Cubana de Aviacion — Cuba's national carrier — has had to ground some of its aging fleet because of safety issues, though the cause of Friday's crash is unknown, CNN's Patrick Oppmann reported from Havana.
Havana airport workers were alerted that a passenger jet crashed on takeoff, an airport employee told the Associated Press.
It is believed the plane crashed near a high school campus on the east side of the island, WPLG reports.
Airlive reports that there were 107 passengers on board plus flight crew. The domestic flight was headed to Holguin and crashed at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time, according to state TV reports.
The plane was rented by Cubana Airlines, WPLG reports. Authorities have not confirmed the reports of a crash.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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