At least 77 people, many of them women and children, may have been killed in the crash of an Algerian military transport aircraft Tuesday in northern Algeria. The C-130 was initially reported to be carrying 99 passengers and four crew but the Algerian government corrected that late Tuesday.The aircraft was taking military personnel and their families from a base at Tamanrasset to Constantine. At least one soldier is reported to have survived.
The aircraft went down in a mountainous area of Oum al-Bouaghi province, near the final destination of Constantine. Algerian officials told local media that gusty winds and bad weather were likely a contributing factor. Although primarily used for cargo and troop transport, a standard Herc can be configured to carry up to 92 passengers.
