A Peruvian Airlines plane carrying more than 140 people has veered off the runway and burst into flames while landing at an airport in Peru, injuring dozens of people, officials say. There were no reports of fatalities.
The accident happened at about 4:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday when the plane, a Boeing 737-300 aircraft, was attempting to land at Francisco Carle Airport in Jauja, which is a city about 107 kilometers (93 miles) east of Lima.
Passengers said the landing appeared to be normal until the aircraft made a turn to the right, causing it to leave the runway and roll down a grass field. A fire broke out as passengers were evacuating from the plane, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air.
Peru’s Canal N reported that at least 29 people, including a child, were taken to area hospitals for treatment. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening and all passengers and crew members are accounted-for.
Peruvian Airlines said the aircraft was carrying 141 passengers, though there was no immediate word on the number of crew members. The plane was flying on a domestic route from Lima, the country’s capital, to the city of Jauja.
The cause of the accident was not immediately known.
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