TIMELINE: African air disasters

(Reuters) - At least 70 people were killed on Tuesday when a Congolese passenger plane crashed onto a busy market district after taking-off from Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, witnesses and U.N. officials said.

Following is a list of some major air crashes in Africa:

Jan 8, 1996 - At least 350 people die when a Russian-built Antonov-32 cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in central Kinshasa, capital of Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo).

-- Nov 23 - One hundred and twenty-five of 175 passengers and crew are killed when a hijacked Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767 crashes into the sea off the Comoros Islands.

Jan 30, 2000 - Kenya Airways Airbus A-310 crashes into the sea shortly after takeoff from Abidjan in Ivory Coast, killing 169 of the 179 passengers and crew.

May 4, 2002 - Nigerian EAS Airlines BAC 1-11-500 crashes in the north Nigerian city of Kano. At least 148 people are killed, 75 on the plane and 73 on the ground.

March 6, 2003 - Algerian Boeing 737-200 crashes shortly after takeoff from Tamanrasset airport, killing 103 passengers and crew.

-- May 8 - Cargo door opens in mid-flight on an Ilyushin 76 transport plane in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sending at least 70 passengers plummeting to their deaths.

-- July 8 - Sudan Airways Boeing 737 crashes shortly after takeoff near Port Sudan, killing 104 passengers and the crew of 11. One child survived.

-- Dec 25 - Boeing 727 bound for Beirut clips a building after takeoff in Benin and smashes into the Atlantic Ocean, killing 111 passengers and crew. Twenty two survive the crash.

Oct 22, 2005 - Nigerian Bellview Airlines Boeing 737-200 airliner with 111 passengers and six crew crashes north of Lagos, shortly after takeoff. All aboard are killed.

-- Dec 10 - Nigerian Sosoliso Airlines DC-9 flight from Abuja carrying 110 passengers and crew crashes on landing, killing 106. Four people survive the crash.

May 5, 2007 - All 114 people on board a Kenya Airways Boeing 737 are killed when the plane crashes in torrential rain after takeoff from Douala in Cameroon en route to Nairobi.

April 15, 2008 - At least 70 people killed when a Boeing 727 plane after take-off at Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, witnesses and officials say. Six people, including the two pilots, survived.

(Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit; Additional writing by Nagesh Narayana)