Probe launched into Taiwan plane crash

Taiwan authorities began an investigation on Thursday into the crash of a TransAsia Airways turboprop plane in which 48 people were killed.

The 70-seat ATR 72 crashed on Wednesday evening near the runway while making a second attempt to land on the small island of Penghu, west of Taiwan island, after a typhoon had passed earlier in the day.

A statement from the airline on Thursday morning said the flight was carrying 54 passengers, including two French nationals, and four crew members.