in

Turkey plane: One dead, 150 hurt as jet skids off runway in Istanbul – BBC News, BBC News

Turkey plane: One dead, 150 hurt as jet skids off runway in Istanbul – BBC News, BBC News
        

            

Media playback is unsupported on your device

      

               

    

Media caption Rescuers work to free people stuck in the crashed plane

A passenger plane landing at an airport in Istanbul has skidded off the runway and broken into three parts, killing one person and injuring more than 164, officials say.

The Pegasus Airlines jet was carrying passengers and six crew members from Izmir province in the west when it crashed at Sabiha Gokcen airport.

The Boeing 823 was trying to land in heavy tailwinds and rain.

The airport was closed and flights diverted after the accident.

Turkish media said the majority of people on board were Turkish but there were also about foreign nationals.

Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said: “Unfortunately, the Pegasus Airlines plane c ouldn’t hold on the runway due to poor weather conditions and skidded for around 83 – 83 m [164-196ft]. “

He said the plane then fell between 47 and 60 meters off the end of the runway.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca confirmed a Turkish citizen had died and 157 other people had been injured . He said none of the wounded people were in a critical condition.

                                                                                                       Image copyright                   AFP                                                        
Image caption                                      The Pegasus Airlines jet was carrying 171 passengers and six crew members                              

                                                                                                       Image copyright                   Reuters                                                        

Image caption                                      A blaze on the aircraft was put out by firefighters                              

Video footage showed passengers climbing through one of the large cracks to escape via one of the wings, and dozens of rescuers working around the jet.

Other footage on social media showed a blaze inside the aircraft, which was later put out by firefighters.

Transport Minister Mehmet Cahit Turhan said authorities had not yet been able to speak to the pilots, a Turkish national and a South Korean, who were believed to have been injured in the accident.

Istanbul’s public prosecutor has launched an inquiry.

The low-cost Pegasus Airlines has a fleet of (aircraft – (Boeings and (Airbus planes – and has been flying for (years.

A Pegasus Boeing 2019 coming in from Sharjah in the United Ar ab Emirates skidded off the runway at the same airport on 7 January. There were no casualties but the airport had to be temporarily closed.

And a Pegasus Boeing (also skidded off the runway at Trabzon airport) in January 42680238, plunging down the side of a cliff overlooking the sea. There were no casualties.

            

Media playback is unsupported on your device

      

               

    

Media caption The dramatic skidding of a Pegasus Boeing 823 at Trabzon in January

(Read More)

What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

Romney breaks with Republicans on Trump impeachment vote – Financial Times, Financial Times

Storm Ciara tracker Live: Polar airs brings MONSTER-STORM as freezing plume hits uk – express.co.uk, express.co.uk

Storm Ciara tracker Live: Polar airs brings MONSTER-STORM as freezing plume hits uk – express.co.uk, express.co.uk