Boeing 777 crashes at San Francisco airport

An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft from Seoul crash-landed at San Francisco International Airport yesterday, killing two people and injuring more than 180.

Early reports suggest that the plane was unstable as it touched down, which led to the tail of the plane breaking off. The passengers and crew members escaped down emergency slides as the plane burst into flames.

The plane was scheduled to arrive at 11.15 am local time but was running 15 minutes late. It was carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members on board.

All of the passengers have been accounted for. At least six people, including two children are reported to be in a critical condition and are being treated at the San Francisco General Hospital.

Federal sources have indicated that “there was no indication of terrorism.”

The South Korean airline has confirmed that the two female teenagers who died in the crash are Ye Mengyuan and Wang Linjia. Both 16-year-old schoolgirls were travelling as part of a group from Jiangshan Middle School in China’s eastern Zhejiang province.

Both the girls were seated at the back of the aircraft and they are believed to be first-ever fatalities in a Boeing 777 crash.

Bowing in respect for the deceased and the dozens injured, the head of Asiana Airlines, Young-Doo Yoon, apologised to the public. He said: “Please accept my deepest apology, we’ll make our utmost efforts to cope with the tragedy.”

Flight data recorders have been recovered from the wreckage and an investigation into the cause is underway.

Aastha Gill