NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Natalie Allen. In the news, the unfolding story of a plane crash in Taipei, Taiwan. The Singapore Airlines 747 was bound for Los Angeles from Taipei, when it crashed during takeoff earlier today. The carrier says 49 people are confirmed dead. The plane crashed on the runway as it left Chang Kai-Chek International Airport with 159 passengers and 20 crew members onboard. An airline spokesman says, of those, at least 68 are confirmed injured, 16 people walked away only slightly hurt. Dozens are still missing. Witnesses said the plane fell flat to the ground as if hit by high winds. The island was bracing for a typhoon at the time. One passenger described the plane as shaking and sliding before it burst into flames. The pilot says that the plane did hit an object on the takeoff run. The plane was due to arrive in Los Angeles at 6:15 p.m. Los Angeles time. The airline has set up a hotline for families to call for information. here is the number, 1-800-828-0508. You can also find information on the airline's Web page, singaporeair.com. We will continue to bring you developments, as we get the.
Singapore Airlines Crash: 49 Confirmed Dead