Plane crashes on landing at San Francisco Airport; ’10 critically injured’


This photo provided by Krista Seiden shows smoke rising from what a federal aviation official says was an Asiana Airlines flight crashing while landing at San Francisco airport on Saturday, July 6, 2013. AP

MANILA, Philippines— A Boeing 777 commercial plane carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members crashed at San Francisco International Airport early Sunday (Manila time), a report on CNN said Sunday.

The passenger plane crashed while landing, said the report. A billow of smoke was seen on the runway of the airport, as shown by the TV live feed at around 3 a.m. Sunday.

The CCN breaking news report said the plane, identified as Asiana Airlines Flight 214, came from Seoul. Terrorism was ruled out by a National Security official, the report added.

Asiana Airlines is the second biggest airline company of South Korea.

A later report from Associated Press said San Francisco General Hospital is treating eight adults and two children who were critically injured in the said plane crash.

Quoting hospital spokeswoman Rachael Kagan, AP reported the adult patients’ age rane from 20 to their 40s. It was not immediately clear the ages of the children.

However, CNN said among the 10 injured, six were females and four were males.

AP said San Francisco-area broadcasters KNTV, KCBS and KTVU have reported there were fatalities.

But when AP contacted the local police, fire and coroner’s officials, they were unable to confirm any deaths.

Ciria Cruz of INQUIRER.net US Bureau earlier reported a passenger, David Eun had tweeted, “I just crash landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine. I’m ok. Surreal… (at ‪@flySFO)

As of 6:30 a.m. (Manila time), CNN said a press conference will be held soon at the airport.

Originally posted at 3:17 a.m.

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