Algeria crash- Death toll revised

An Algerian military transport plane has slammed into a mountain in the country's rugged eastern region, killing 77 people and leaving just one survivor, the defence ministry said. Air traffic controllers lost radio and radar contact with the US-built C-130 Hercules turboprop just before noon and dispatched helicopters to try to find it. The plane was discovered in pieces on Mount Fortas near the town of Ain Kercha, 50 kilometres southeast of Constantine, the main city in eastern Algeria. It was carrying 74 passengers and four crew members, the military said in its statement, blaming poor weather for the crash. Initially, Algerian government officials and Algerian state media had reported that the plane had 99 passengers, making for a much higher death toll. The plane was heading to Constantine from the southern Saharan city of Tamanrasset, which has a massive military presence due to its proximity to the country's unstable southern borders. It was at least 24 years old, according to sales information supplied by its maker, Lockheed Martin Corp. The lone survivor - a soldier - suffered head injuries and was treated at a nearby military facility before being flown to the military hospital in Algiers, a retired Algerian intelligence officer told The Associated Press.

Civil defense officials at the snowy crash site said the plane broke into three parts and women and children were among the dead. Commander Farid Nechad, who was coordinating recovery efforts, told the AP that 55 bodies had been recovered so far but conditions at the crash site were difficult.