A Lockheed Martin C-130H operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force has crashed in the mountainous area near the southern city of Guelmim, killing 78 people on board, according to a statement from Morocco's armed forces.

The aircraft was preparing to land when it came down in bad weather 10km (6mi) north of Guelmim.

Nine aircrew, 60 soldiers and 12 civilians were killed according to the statement. Three survivors were found at the crash site with serious injuries.

The statement said it was flying on the route Agadir-Eyes-Dakhla.

Flightglobal's MiliCAS database lists Morocco as operating 15 C-130Hs. These were delivered between 1974 and 1982 and have an average age of 35 years.

Source: Flight International