MOSCOW, July 23 (RIA Novosti) — At least 51 people were killed and seven injured when TransAsia Airways passenger plane crash-landed in a Taiwan airport Wednesday, China’s Xinhua news agency reported citing local media.
The ATR-72 aircraft was carrying 58 people, including 54 passengers and four crew members.
According to the local media reports, TransAsia Airways flight failed to land in the Magong Airport, Taiwan's Pengu Islands.
Soon after the plane’s pilot requested the second attempt to land, the connection with the flight was lost.
The plane reportedly crashed into the ground damaging two residential buildings in the vicinity of Huhsi town.
According to the preliminary version, the accident was caused by poor weather conditions, as Typhoon Matmo passed over Taiwan and Penghu earlier in the day, causing heavy rains and strong winds.
TransAsia Airways is a Taiwan-based airline conducting mainly domestic flights.
