In pictures: Benin air crash

1 of 6 The chartered plane, Boeing 727, crashed on take-off at Benin's Cotonou airport and fell into the Gulf of Guinea, killing at least 90 people.

2 of 6 Rescuers and onlookers rushed into the sea to recover bodies and bring survivors to the shore.

3 of 6 The plane was bound for Beirut, carrying mostly Lebanese people returning home for Christmas.

4 of 6 Miraculously, at least 18 survived the crash - it was not clear how many people were on the plane.

5 of 6 In Beirut, relatives waited anxiously for any news from UTA flight 141.

6 of 6 Many families were later told that their loved ones were among the dead.