Turkish passenger plane crashes at Istanbul airport, killing three and injuring 179
A Turkish passenger plane skidded off the runway at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport and broke into three pieces. The plane then caught fire. Three people have been reported dead in the accident so far. 179 people, including the plane's pilots, were injured.
A Pegasus Airlines passenger plane carrying 177 passengers and six crew members from Izmir skidded off the runway and broke into three pieces while landing at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport.
A passenger plane skidded off the runway at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport and broke into three pieces. The plane then caught fire. Three people have been reported dead in the accident so far. 179 people, including the pilots, were injured.
Difficult landing
Television images show the front of the plane completely separated and a deep gash in the rear of the plane. The first images from the plane show flames. The fire on the plane has been brought under control.
The Turkish news agency reported that the fuselage of the plane had been torn into three pieces. Television footage showed passengers trying to escape through cracks.
The Turkish news agency reported that passengers initially exited the plane on their own before rescue workers rushed to their aid. The Turkish transport minister said the plane made a “difficult landing” and then skidded off the runway.
No information has yet been released on the cause of the hard landing. The weather in Istanbul on Wednesday was rainy and windy.
Second incident this year
Television images showed the plane belonged to Pegasus Airlines. Official reports said there were 177 passengers on board, including children.
Türkiye's transport minister said Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport has been closed and flights have been diverted to the main Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality airport.
In early January, another Pegasus Airlines plane skidded off the runway at the airport. At the time, the Istanbul governor said the incident was due to bad weather.
Source: DW
