The plane reportedly crashed shortly after takeoff. It was bound for Holguin, a domestic flight of about one hour and 20 minutes.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who arrived at the scene, has said that there are "a high number of victims," reported AFP.

In a picture supposedly taken from inside the airport, a plume of black smoke can be seen rising from the end of a runway, as firefighters responded to the incident.

According to state media, the jet was leased by Cuba’s national airline, Cubana de Aviación, and flown by a foreign crew.