One killed as plane catches fire in Russia

18 people seek medical help as the plane skids off a runway in the Olympic city of Sochi

MOSCOW: One person died - apparently of a heart attack - and 18 people sought medical help when a plane skidded off a runway in Russia's Olympic city of Sochi, slid into a river and caught fire during landing early Saturday, officials said.



The Boeing 737 flying from Moscow with 166 passengers and six crew members overshot a runway as it attempted to land in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, damaged a wing and caught fire.

"As a result of the crash landing at Sochi airport 18 sought medical help," regional health authorities said. The injured included three children, said investigators, who opened a criminal probe.

During the rescue operation an airport employee died, possibly of a heart attack, a spokesperson for the Sochi Airport told AFP in a statement.



Sixteen ambulance crews worked at the scene, authorities said, adding that the fire had been put out.

The plane was operated by the Utair airline.

Sochi hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2014.