DHAKA: Algeria’s national airline, Air Algerie, says it has lost contact with one of its planes flying from Burkina Faso to Algiers across the Sahara.

Algerian aviation officials said the plane had crashed, but gave no further details, reports the BBC.

Contact was lost about 50 minutes after take-off from Ouagadougou, Air Algerie said, as the plane crossed Mali.

The airline said 50 French citizens were among the 110 passengers and six crew on board Flight AH 5017.

The pilot had contacted Niger’s control tower in Niamey to change course because of a storm, officials say.

BBC West Africa correspondent says the route is well used by French travellers.

The French military said it had sent two French fighter jets based in West Africa to try to locate the plane.

France's civil aviation body said crisis centres had been set up at airports in Paris and Marseille.

The plane is operated by Air Algerie but chartered from Spanish airline Swiftair.

BDST: 2105 HRS, JUL 24, 2014