Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Algeria’s military was rocked by the crash of a U.S.-origin military transport.

The Algerian Defense Ministry said at least 73 people were killed when a C-130 air transport crashed into a mountain some 500 kilometers east of Algiers. The ministry blamed the crash on poor weather.

“Unfavorable weather conditions and storms accompanied by snow in the region were behind the crash,” the Defense Ministry said on Feb. 11.

The crash is said to have been the worst in Algeria since that of a commercial jet in March 2003. Algeria also lost 20 soldiers in the crash of a C-130 in 2003.

Officials said the C-130 contained 103 passengers and crew members when it crashed into Mount Fortas, located in the Oum El Bouaghi province. So far, one survivor as well as the black box were found, and officials could not explain the discrepancy in the casualty toll.

“The incident took place at Mount Fortas when the plane was trying to land amid strong winds,” military spokesman Col. Hamadi Boukern said.

Algeria has reported a spate of military air crashes over the last few years. In November 2012, an Algerian military aircraft crashed in France.

Officials said the C-130, which contained soldiers and their families,
had been on a flight from Tamanrasset in southern Algeria to Constantine.
They said 500 people searched for the plane
and survivors on Mount Fertas.

“A commission of inquiry has been formed and sent to the area to
determine the reason behind the crash,” the Defense Ministry said.

  Bad weather blamed for Algerian C-130 crash that killed 73, Col. Hamadi Boukern, Mount Fortas, U.S.-origin C-130