18 people injured as plane engulfed in flames on Russian tarmac

18 people injured as plane engulfed in flames on Russian tarmac

18 People have been injured after a plane crashlanded through a fence and caught fire in Russia over the weekend.

Dramatic footage has emerged showing the plane just after it burst into flames.

The Boeing 737-800, operated by Utair, was engulfed in flames on the tarmac at Sochi airport after overshooting its landing, as per the ABC. 

The plane was trying to land in strong wind and heavy rain early on Saturday morning local time.

A spokesman for Utair said the plane made two attempts at landing, crashing through the fence on the second try and falling into a riverbed, destroying a wheelstand, damaging one of its wings and sparking a fire in the planes left engine.

Officials say some of the injured suffered burns and others had carbon monoxide poisoning.

One airport spokesperson said an airport employee suffered a fatal heart attack during the rescue operation, according to the BBC. 

A criminal investigation has been launched by Russia’s Investigative Committee “on suspicion of inadequate services with a risk to clients health.”

The incident marks the third major plane crash in Russia since 2015.

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