Korean Air passenger plane overruns runway at Cebu Airport, no injuries reported

[Provided by Yonhap]

A Korean Air Lines Co. airplane carrying 173 people overran the runway late Sunday at Cebu International Airport in the Philippines while trying to land in poor climate in an incident that avoided injuries but closed the airport.

According to Korean Air on Monday, its A330-300 passenger airplane that departed from Incheon International Airport Sunday at 6:35 p.m. after one-hour delay overshot the runway at the Mactan Island in Cebu while attempting to land. The plane in the third attempt overran the runway to stop in the bushes.

All onboard - 162 passengers and 11 crew – were safe, although the wheel and part of the plane’s body were damaged.

Passengers escaped the airplane through an emergency slide and have been taken to local hotels.

The overrun suspended further landings at the airport. Korean Air plans to send a plane for passengers wishing to return home. It is investigating the exact cause of the incident.

“The plane stopped after passing the runway while landing,” Korean Air said in an apology statement. “We will do our best so that the incident is settled early by closely cooperating with local airport and government authorities.”

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport said it will set up an emergency headquarters to cooperate with authorities in the Philippines in the investigation.

Shares were unaffected. Korean Air finished 1.38 percent higher at 22,000 won ($15.27) on Monday.

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