One person has died and 157 injured, after a plane carrying 177 people skidded off the runway at an Istanbul airport on Wednesday.
Read Also: 250 Killed As Police Raid Ansaru Militants’ Camp In Kaduna
The plane caught fire and broke into three after landing in rough weather.
Live images broadcast on Turkish television showed several people climbing through a large crack in the damaged aircraft, and escaping onto one of the wings at the rear.
The Boeing 737, operated by Turkish low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, had flown into Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport from the Aegean port city of Izmir, NTV television said.
Read Also: Group Gives Sanwo-Olu Seven Days Ultimatum To Lift Ban On Motorcycles, Tricycles
The plane was said to have been badly affected by strong winds and heavy rain in lnstanbul, Turkey’s largest city.
“At this stage, 157 injured people are in hospital and one of our fellow citizens has lost their life,” Turkish Health Minister, Fahrettin Koca, told reporters.
“Some passengers evacuated the plane by themselves but others are stuck inside and our rescuers are working to free them,” Transport Minister, Mehmet Cahit Turhan, also said on CNN-Turk television.
Read Also: 118-year-old Woman Appointed Special Assistant In Bayelsa
The plane was carrying 171 passengers and six crew members, Istanbul governor, Ali Yerlikaya confirmed, while Turkish media reports stated that there were 12 children on board.
Governor Yerlikaya said the plane “slid some 60 metres” after skidding off the runway, and then “fell about 30-40 metres” down a bank.
The accident, which he attributed to bad weather, “could have had more serious consequences,” he added.
Read Also: Policeman Commits Suicide To Avoid Murder Trial
NTV showed images of the damaged plane and flames inside, which were later put out by firefighters.
Television footage later showed dozens of rescue workers in high-visibility jackets surrounding the plane with flashlights.
Some sprayed water jets onto the severed body of the aircraft, while others could be seen climbing up onto the plane to comb through the cabin.
Discussion about this post