Many children die at plane crash in Spain

Among all the 1,258 scheduled flights, 934 had been completed until 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).

The twin-engine jet shot off the runway, crashed and caught fire when it was taking off. The airplane was totally destroyed and most of the dead were burned beyond recognition.

Rescuers arrive at the Barajas airport where a Spanish plane  caught fire, Madrid, Spain, Aug. 20, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Most of the passengers were tourists and some were foreigners, Spanair said, refraining from giving out the names.

Firefighters had worked for two hours to bring the fire under control, and the survivors were taken to hospitals by ambulances and helicopters.

Development Minister Magdalena Alvarez said the cause of the accident was under investigation.