Caribbean Airlines

All 154 passengers and eight crew members on board Caribbean Airlines flight BW523 survived after the plane crash landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana in the early hours of this morning, breaking in two by the time it came to a halt.

The crash occurred around 1:32 am, about three and a half hours after the flight had been scheduled to arrive in Guyana before going to Port of Spain.

Initial reports indicate that heavy rainfall had affected visibility and the pilot touched down on the middle of the runway, and could not stop by the time he reached the end.

The plane only came to a half shortly after crashing through the airport’s perimeter fence.

Government officials, including President Bharrat Jagdeo, Transport Minister Robeson Benn and Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy rushed to the scene after the crash.

Civil aviation authorities, police and soldiers are investigating the incident.

In a statement issued about two and a half hours after the crash, Caribbean Airlines said it had immediately activated its emergency response programme and is in direct contact with the relevant authorities.

The plane, which had broken into two pieces upon landing, barely missed a 200-foot (60-meter) ravine that could have resulted in dozens of fatalities, Jagdeo said.

“We are very, very grateful that more people were not injured,” Jagdeo said.

Rescue workers rushed to the scene of the crash as authorities closed the airport, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and delaying dozens of flights.

Jagdeo said he has asked the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board to help investigate the crash. He said crews were pushing to reopen the airport as soon as possible.

The crash is the worst in recent history in Guyana, and only one of the few serious incidents involving the Trinidad-based airline. It is the single largest carrier in the region, operating at least five daily flights.