Two people were reported killed and at least 61 injured as an Asiana Airlines flight from Seoul crashed and caught fire while landing at San Francisco International Airport in California on US West Coast Saturday.
The plane crashed about 11.30 a.m. (12 midnight India time) and came to rest on the side of one of the airport's four runways, San Francisco Chronicle reported citing Lynn Lunsford, a spokesperson with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The plane reportedly was carrying 291 people. There was no official word on any casualties. The Chronicle citing Rachael Kagan, a spokesperson for San Francisco General Hospital, said an unknown number of injured passengers were headed there.
The airport was shut down to all traffic and emergency teams were on the scene.
San Francisco Fire Department officials said two passengers were killed and 61 injured, KTVU reported.
Images from the scene showed smoke billowing from the plane and emergency exits open from the plane's fuselage, with the tail separated from the aircraft, according to USA Today. Gaping holes could be seen in the roof of the plane's body, blackened by fire.
Some witnesses cited by the Chronicle said that the tail slammed into the ground first. Aerial news footage showed a trail of debris extending from the embankment at the front of the runway.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending investigators to the airport.
Flights that were scheduled to land at San Francisco were being diverted to Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento.
