Aviation officials in Mongolia say that twenty-eight people, including twelve children, died when a Mongolian Airlines plane crashed during an internal flight.

The aircraft was reported missing on Tuesday after it took off in windy conditions from the industrial city of Erdenet, north-west of the capital, Ulan Bator.

Its route to the northern town of Moron took it over hilly country, which hampered the search operation.

The Chinese-built Yun-Twelve aircraft was registered to carry a total of nineteen passengers and crew: nine less than the number on board.