Papua New Guinea plane overshoots Micronesia runway and sinks in lagoon
Media reports said all passengers were rescued from Air Niugini’s partially submerged Boeing 737-800
A Papua New Guinean plane has sunk in a lagoon after overshooting the runway in the Federated States of Micronesia.
All 35 passengers and 12 crew were rescued from Air Niugini’s partially submerged Boeing 737-800, after local fishermen took their boats out to the crash site almost immediately.
Seven people were taken to a hospital, according to officials, including one described as being in critical but stable condition.
Flight 73 flies between Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia and Port Moresby, stopping in Chuuk State.
Videos posted to social media show dozens of people in boats around the wreckage.
Air Niugini, Papua New Guinea’s national airline, said in a statement the plane “landed short” of the runway. A spokesman for the airline earlier said the accident happened as the plane was taking off.