Air crash death toll hits 153

MADRID: The death toll in Wednesday's plane crash in Madrid rose to 153 yesterday as the Spanish government declared a three-day mourning and ordered investigators to find the cause of the country's worst air disaster in nearly 25 years.

Only 19 people survived the crash of the Spanair plane bound for the Canary Islands.

Flags in Madrid flew at half mast yesterday and a silent vigil was held at noon. The Spanish king and queen plan to visit a makeshift morgue where relatives are waiting to claim the remains of their loved ones.