CHEN:
Traffic is back to normal at Madrid's Barajas Airport after the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of one hundred fifty-three people. The flight was scheduled for a routine trip to the Canary Islands before the terrible accident occurred. Here's more.

STORY:
Madrid woke yesterday to the Spanish flag flying at half mast in the city center.

The mood in the city is somber as people morn those who died in Wednesday's tragic plane crash.

The Spanish jet was traveling to the Canary Islands, but crashed on takeoff, bursting into flames.

One hundred fifty-three people were killed in the crash. 19 survived but some of them are in a critical condition.

Already traffic is back to normal at Madrid's Barajas airport and passengers are queuing up for check-in at the counter of Spanair. Some passengers are afraid of flying, but others said this was their only opportunity to travel.

"The truth is that we don't fly that much and since we only have the opportunity to travel once a year, we are going and we will be flying Spanair.”

The plane was originally due to take off at 1 p.m., but returned to the terminal after approaching the runway because of a faulty temperature gauge. It subsequently crashed on its next attempt at 2.45 p.m.

Spanish media and a source close to the situation said the plane's left engine had caught fire.