Search resumes for missing Afghan passenger plane

The area is covered in dense fog

Rescuers have resumed their search for an Afghan passenger plane which crashed between Kunduz and Kabul on Monday.

The Pamir Airways plane, with more than 40 people on board, went down near the Salang Pass in mountains about 60 miles (100km) north of the capital, Kabul.

The plane had been missing since early morning. Officials said six foreigners were on board, including three Britons.

Search teams trying to reach the crash site, including US and Nato forces, were hampered by poor weather.

Officials say it is unclear whether there are any survivors.

Dense fog

The aircraft is thought to have been carrying 38 passengers plus five crew.

On Monday, dozens of Afghan police and local residents started to climb the snow-capped mountains where the plane was believed to have crashed.

Aircraft were also sent, a Nato statement said.

But snow and fog plus the cold weather and harsh terrain made the search operation difficult and nightfall forced a halt to the operation.

The Salang Pass is a major route through the Hindu Kush mountains connecting Kabul to the north of the country.

Pamir Airways is one of Afghanistan's private carriers and operates mainly domestic routes across the country.

In 2005 an Afghan airliner crashed in the Band-e-Ghazi area east of Kabul. More than 100 people were killed.