3 Dead, Over 170 Injured as Plane Crashes in Istanbul

A Pegasus Boeing 737 carrying 177 passengers and 6 crew members, which was flying into Sabiha Gokcen International Airport on Wednesday night, skidded off the runway.

The passenger jet was traveling from Izmir. Although a domestic flight, it also had 22 international passengers on board, Turkish media reported. 

The plane crashed into a field, splitting in three, and injuring 179 people and killing three. The Turkish media reports that there were 12 children on board.

Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said the plane failed to "hold onto the runway" as it was buffeted by strong winds and heavy rain lashing Istanbul.

An investigation has been launched to determine if there was anything else other than the bad weather that caused the crash.

By Nini Dakhundaridze

Image source: ABC News.