Plane shot off the runway in Madrid, 45 died

At least 45 people were killed when a Spanair plane crashed on takeoff at Madrid airport on Wednesday, the government said, but an emergency services source reported nearly 150 fatalities.

Local media reports of the death toll varied widely, with one report suggesting it could be as high as 50, after the MD-82 jet shot off the runway carrying 160 passengers.

Flight JK5022 had been bound for Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. A large cloud of smoke rose above Terminal Four after the crash.

Spanair is a subsidiary of Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS).

Reuters