( CNN ) -- One person survived the crash of a military plane Tuesday in the mountains of eastern Algeria that left at least 77 others dead , a spokeswoman for the country 's Civil Protection office said . The spokeswoman , who could not give her name in line with protocol , said there were a total of 78 people on board the plane . The man who survived has head injuries and was taken to a hospital , she added . Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika declared a three-day national mourning period and offered his condolences to the families of the victims , the state-run Algerie Presse Service ( APS ) reported . The Hercules C-130 was carrying members of the Algerian air force and their families , according to several media outlets in Algeria . Initial reports on the crash gave conflicting numbers , with some saying 103 people were on board the aircraft and as many as 100 had died . Others cited 52 deaths and more than two dozen missing . The plane was flying from Tamanrasset in southern Algeria to Constantine in the east , the Defense Ministry said in a statement . `` An investigative team has been created and sent to the scene to determine the cause and the exact circumstances of this tragic accident , '' the Defense Ministry statement said , adding that top military officials were heading to the crash site . The plane crashed in Mount Fertas , which is about 500 kilometers ( 310 miles ) east of Algeris , according to APS . State radio , citing a military source , said bad weather was behind the crash . There was a snowstorm in the area when the plane went down , witnesses told the radio network .
NEW : Civil Protection office says 77 dead , 1 survivor . NEW : The plane crashed in Mount Fertas , about 310 miles from Algiers . Those aboard included women and children , state radio reports . Witnesses say there was a snowstorm in the area .