MORE than 20 people are reported to have survived a plane crash in south America.

The aircraft, belonging to the state airline Conviasa, came down shortly after taking off from Manuel Carlos Piar Airport, outside Ciudad Guayana. It is thought that 47 people were on board.

The director of the Civil Protection agency in the Guayana region said there were survivors. Unconfirmed reports said there were at least 23.

The aircraft came down about 10km (6 miles) from the airport at about 1020 (1450 GMT), near the suburb of Puerto Ordaz, they added.