Over 100 feared dead in Chinese plane crash

More than 100 people are feared dead after an airliner crashed into the sea off the north east coast of China.

More than 100 people are feared dead after an airliner crashed into the sea off the north east coast of China.

The crash happened after the captain reported a fire in the cabin. Reports say 112 passengers and crew were on board and there is said to be little hope of survivors.

The state Xinhua News Agency says rescue efforts are under way and 50 bodies have been recovered.

The plane, identified as China Northern Flight 6136, was an MD-82 airliner and was carrying 103 passengers and nine crew from Beijing to Dalian, a port city 280 miles east of Beijing.

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More than 30 rescue ships are on their way to the crash site in the bay off Dalian, only 12 miles from the city's airport.

Air traffic controllers lost contact with the flight less than an hour after it set off.

Darkness at sea was hindering rescue efforts, Xinhua said. It said most of those aboard were residents of Dalian.