Iranian press in mourning after Tehran plane crash

Reporters Without Borders voiced deep regret at the death of 84 Iranian journalists and media technicians, above all public television employees, when a Hercules C-130 military transport plane crashed into an apartment building in a southern district of Tehran today. “We would like to express out condolences to the families of the victims of this terrible accident,” the press freedom organisation said. “Our thoughts also reach out to the Iranian news media that have been hit very hard by this catastrophe.” Reporters Without Borders added: “At the same time, we deplore the fact that journalists on the scene mourning their lost friends were hit by anti-riot police.” The journalists aboard the aircraft were being taken to cover a large-scale military exercise in the south of the country. At least 116 people were killed when the plane crashed after one of its engines failed.