Cargo plane crash: Disaster in saline waters off Ivory Coast [PHOTOS]

A cargo plane carrying 10 people crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Ivory Coast near Abidjan's International Airport on Saturday. According to officials, the crash claimed lives of four Moldovan citizens, leaving two Moldovans and four French citizens injured.

As stated by Reuters, Director General of Ivory Coast's Civil Aviation Authority, Sinaly Silue, mentioned in a news conference that there were 10 people on board, including six crew members, three French soldiers and a French civilian working for the aviation company. The accident occurred when the Antonov 26 aircraft was nearing the airport of Ivory Coast from Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou and the weather was very bad on the plane's course to the airport, as noted by him.

Hired by the French Military to transport equipment, the plane is said to have crashed shortly after takeoff as reported by a witness. French army spokesman Colonel Patrick was quoted as saying "This was a plane chartered by the French army in the framework of the Barkhane force in order to carry out logistical missions."

Authorities from Ivory Coast, Moldova, and France were operating in a joint investigation over the accident, Mr. Silue noted.

Residents from surrounding areas gathered in large numbers at the spot and some of them also helped firefighters and rescue divers free the bodies of the dead from the remains of the plane.

IBTimes Singapore has compiled a series of images of the rescue operation amidst the wreckage.