The exact cause of the crash is not yet known, but the pilot reported engine trouble shortly after takeoff. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to make an emergency landing at the city's Mehrabad International Airport, from where the aircraft took off. The aircraft came down in a densely populated area of Towhid, crashing into an apartment building where many Iranian Air Force personnel reside.

Iranian State media reported a death toll of 128 victims, although some other news agencies reported a toll of 116. All 94 on board the plane were killed.

Casualties

Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that all 94 people on board, including 40 journalists, were killed upon impact. State radio reported at least 34 people were confirmed dead on the ground, putting the official death toll at 128. An Interior Ministry Spokesperson, Mojtaba Mir-Abdolahi, has confirmed that 116 corpses have been recovered from the site.

The Mehr news agency reports 40 journalists on board worked for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, and the others were from the Islamic Republic News Agency, Iranian Students' News Agency and Fars News Agency, and several newspapers.

Iason Sowden of Global Radio News in Tehran said there were reports of charred bodies on the ground near the crash site. Sowden also said that one wing of the plane was lying in front of the building. Initial pictures shown on Sky News and CNN showed complete chaos at the scene. Earlier in the day, all children were advised to stay at home due to high levels of smog and pollution.

The number of wounded victims is still unclear. Reuters reported that 28 people were transported to a nearby hospital. Iranian state radio reported that 90 people sustained serious injuries. Doctor Panahi, head of Tehran's rescue services, was quoted in an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency as saying that 132 had been injured.

Engine problems

According to the police, the pilot reported engine difficulties minutes after takeoff. An emergency landing was requested, but the aircraft crashed just short of the runway.

Rescue operation

Eyewitnesses, whose accounts were carried on the BBC World Service, have stated that emergency crews arrived within three minutes of impact. SBS World News reported that riot police were called in to control onlookers who were blamed for blocking the access of emergency workers.

Iranian aircraft disasters

This crash is the deadliest aviation disaster in Iran since February 2003 when 275 people were killed as a military transport aircraft crashed in southern Iran.

Due to U.S. sanctions, Iran is unable to buy new Western aircraft (whether commercial or military), nor spare parts for existing aircraft from U.S. manufacturers. American-built military planes now operating in Iran were purchased under the old regime during the 1970s. Iranian officials blame the country's poor aviation record on the sanctions.