A plane crashed moments after taking off in Iran's capital, killing 48 people on board and narrowly avoiding more deaths on the ground.
The Antonov An-140 turboprop plane was run by Sepahan Airlines, and had 40 passengers, including six children, and eight crew.
Just after leaving Mehrabad airport, near central Tehran, the plane plummeted into a nearby residential area at 9.18am local time on Sunday, close to a busy market.
Members of the Iran Revolutionary Guards next to the remains of the plane. Photo: AFP
Witnesses say it was a miracle no one on the ground was hurt or killed.
AAP reports black smoke billowed from the wreckage, with officials saying the plane hit a wall and trees, close to the market.
"The scene was terrible, with the back of the plane in the middle of the street," one eyewitness said.
"We were lucky because there was a market 500 metres away and a lot of people were there."
Iran's aviation sector has suffered repeated crashes which are blamed on international sanctions.
They prevent airlines from buying parts or new aircraft.
The Antonov An-140 is a small aircraft designed for regional use and with a range of around 2400 kilometres and it can carry up to 52 people. Iranian airlines are one of the plane's biggest users.
