ROME, Aug 6 (Xinhuanet)-- At least eight people were rescued from the Tunisian ATR-42 plane which crashed into the sea off Palermo in Sicily Saturday, the Ansa news agency reported.

    The CNN news reports said there were 39 passengers on board and the plane was trying to make an emergency landing before it crashed into sea.

    The Italian media reports said the airliner had an engine trouble. The ATR-42 airliner can carry up to 50 passengers on board.

    Four other vessels were at the scene and were taking off more survivors from the plane, Ansa said. Enditem