From Fidel Gutierrez in Mexico City and Natalie Gallón in Atlanta

The Mexican Civil Aviation Authority has said that five crew members aboard the plane that crashed in Cuba were Mexican nationals.

Mexican authorities added the Boeing 737-200 series, owned by Mexican company Damojh airlines and leased to Cubana de Aviacion, was nearly 30 years old.

The Mexican Civil Aviation Authority said the plane was taking off from Havana's airport Havana when it "suffered a failure and crashed into the ground." The crash occurred six miles from the airport.

The aircraft was headed to Holguín, Cuba.

The Mexican Embassy in Havana has activated emergency protocols.