UPDATE - Passenger plane with over 100 aboard crashes in Cuba

UPDATES WITH CASUALTIES, QUOTES FROM JAMAICAN PM

By Safvan Allahverdi

WASHINGTON (AA) - A Boeing 737 aircraft with more than 100 passengers aboard crashed shortly after take off from the Jose Marti International airport in Havana on Friday, according to state run TV.

The plane reportedly erupted in a large fireball; a pall of black smoke rose from the crash site near the airport on the outskirts of the Cuban capital.
There were reportedly 104 passengers on board the passenger jet. However, there was no immediate word on casualties as firefighters try to put the fire under control. A heavy police presence was seen at the airport.

According to photos, the aircraft completely broke apart; emergency services continue to search for survivors.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel along with other government officials also rushed to the site.

Diaz-Canel said the number of dead was “high”; however, he did not reveal the exact toll.

Military officials at the crash scene said there appears to be only three survivors, all of whom were said to be critical conditions.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to our Caribbean neighbours in Cuba after a Boeing 737 passenger jet crashed this afternoon at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport in Cuba," Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a tweet.

"We pray for the safety of the passengers and flight crew," Holness added.

According to media reports, the plane belonged to Cubana airlines, which had taken many of its aged planes our of service due to mechanical problems.

The exact cause of the crash remains unknown.