Athens - Planes, boats and troops were searching early today for a Ukrainian airliner which disappeared over northern Greece with some 70 people aboard, the Greek defence ministry said.
There was still no sign of the Yakovlev 42 jet, four hours after it vanished from radar screens as it was preparing to land at Salonica after a flight from Kiev.
The search was being concentrated in the area of Katerini, south of Salonica.
The Greek defence ministry said 71 people were aboard the plane belonging to the Aerosweet charter company, including 37 Greeks working in Ukraine who were returning home for the end-of-year holidays.