China Eastern Airlines Plane crashes; All Onboard Feared Dead

Web Desk — A China Eastern Airlines passenger jet carrying 132 people crashed in Guangxi, southern China, on Monday afternoon.

China Eastern and aviation officials in China confirmed the crash of the Boeing 737. There was no immediate information on whether anyone survived the flight, which had the code MU5735.

Flight-tracking website FlightRadar24.com reported that the plane started a deep dive while traveling at 523 miles per hour (840 kilometers per hour) and at almost 30,000 feet.

It took off at 1:11 p.m. from Kunming Changshui International Airport and was around halfway through its journey to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, where it was due at 3:10 p.m.

The plane crashed around the small settlements of Teng County. An official statement from the Civil Aviation Administration of China indicates 123 passengers and nine crew members were aboard.

Earlier reports indicated 133 people were on board, but later statements revised that number to 132.

Chinese news outlet The Cover reported that the plane was a 737-800NG that was less than seven years old. The Guangzhou fire department said on Monday evening it was dispatching emergency squads to the crash site.