Iran TV says 30 people not 80 killed in plane crash

TEHRAN, Sep 1 (Reuters) An Iranian passenger plane caught fire after its tyre burst on landing at an airport in Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad today, state television said, but at least 30 were killed not 80 as previously reported.

State television said 148 people were on board the flight to Mashhad, home to Iran's holiest shrine, from the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. It said 62 people had survived unhurt, 47 were hospitalised and 30 bodies had been recovered so far.

State TV had earlier said the death toll was at least 80.

Civil aviation official, Reza Jafarzadeh, also suggested the death toll was lower than the 80 reported earlier. He told the official IRNA news agency that 97 people survived.

REUTERS AB VV2206