Cotonou (Benin): 90 people were killed when a plane crashed into the sea after take off from the West African State of Benin. The aircraft-Boeing 727-was crowded with Lebanese families, who were heading for holidays in Beirut, confirmed sources said.

The ill-fated aircraft, operated by Lebanese-owned UTA, carried 156 passengers and seven crewmembers. It tried to take off from Cotonou airport shortly after its scheduled 2:55 hours (IST) departure time, official sources said requesting anonymity.

At least 82 victims have been counted, some eight more bodies had been pulled from the Atlantic coastal waters, sources said

The Health Ministry put the official toll at 57 dead, with 22 injured. Several victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

Rescuers said it was unlikely that more survivors would be found in the wreckage.

Earlier, technical problems had delayed the UTA flight, which originated in the Guinean capital Conakry and stopped in the Sierra Leone capital Freetown before picking up 71 passengers in Cotonou, confirmed sources said requesting anonymity.

As it began its delayed departure, its landing gear failed to re-engage, sending the plane skidding down the runway and smashing into a building, it then exploded and tumbled nose down into the sea, witnesses said.

A senior aviation official suggested that the chances of aircraft being overloaded or unbalanced couldnot be ruled out.