David Williams, Sky News Online
Venezuelan Plane Crashes After Takeoff
At least 24 people are feared dead after a passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Venezuela.
A local official confirmed 23 of the 47 people aboard the domestic flight are being treated in hospital.
The plane, which belongs to the state-run airline Conviasa, is reported to have fallen 12 minutes after taking off from Manuel Carlos Piar Guayana Airport, in the eastern city of Puerto Ordaz.
Transportation Minister Francisco Garces told state television the plane went down on a state-run steel factory about six miles from Puerto Ordaz.
He said the flight, which was carrying 43 passengers and four crew, was travelling north to Margarita Island.
The cause of the crash remains unknown.
