The president of Brazil's TAM airlines says there were no survivors in Tuesday's plane crash at Sao Paulo's Congonhas airport.
Brazilian rescue workers have recovered at least 170 bodies from the crash site as well as the Airbus A320 jetliner's so-called "black box" flight data recorder.
One hundred-and-86 people were on board the jet when it skidded off a rain-slicked runway, slammed into a gas station and terminal owned by TAM, and exploded. Officials say the death toll could be as many as 200 people, including several who were killed on the ground.
Brazil's minister of institutional relations, Walfrido dos Mares Guia says aviation officials are expected to quickly inform the government about the cause of the crash and safety measures that may be needed.
Also Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives observed a moment of silence for the victims of the crash. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she spoke to Brazilian government officials and extended the House's deepest sympathies for the people of Brazil.
There have been complaints about the airport's runway being too short for large planes to land in rainy weather.
The flight had arrived in Sao Paulo from Porto Alegre in southern Brazil.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the crash.
Pope Benedict offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
This is Brazil's second major aviation disaster in less than a year. Last September, 154 people were killed when a Brazilian passenger plane collided with a small executive jet and crashed into the Amazon jungle. The executive jet landed safely.
Brazilian rescue workers have recovered at least 170 bodies from the crash site as well as the Airbus A320 jetliner's so-called "black box" flight data recorder.
One hundred-and-86 people were on board the jet when it skidded off a rain-slicked runway, slammed into a gas station and terminal owned by TAM, and exploded. Officials say the death toll could be as many as 200 people, including several who were killed on the ground.
Brazil's minister of institutional relations, Walfrido dos Mares Guia says aviation officials are expected to quickly inform the government about the cause of the crash and safety measures that may be needed.
Also Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives observed a moment of silence for the victims of the crash. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she spoke to Brazilian government officials and extended the House's deepest sympathies for the people of Brazil.
There have been complaints about the airport's runway being too short for large planes to land in rainy weather.
The flight had arrived in Sao Paulo from Porto Alegre in southern Brazil.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the crash.
Pope Benedict offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
This is Brazil's second major aviation disaster in less than a year. Last September, 154 people were killed when a Brazilian passenger plane collided with a small executive jet and crashed into the Amazon jungle. The executive jet landed safely.