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20 hurt when plane slides off Palermo runway in rain

Other News Materials 25 September 2010 20:24 (UTC +04:00)
About 20 people were lightly injured when an Airbus A300 belonging to an Italian budget airline ran off the runway at the Palermo airport after landing in heavy rain
20 hurt when plane slides off Palermo runway in rain

About 20 people were lightly injured when an Airbus A300 belonging to an Italian budget airline ran off the runway at the Palermo airport after landing in heavy rain, dpa reported.

   The airline said a sudden gust of wind could have caused the accident Friday night on the Wind Jet flight that was carrying 123 passengers and five crew members from Rome to Sicily, Italy's ANSA agency said.

   The passengers exited the aircraft on inflatable emergency slides. Earlier reports had 30 injured. Many passengers did complain that they had not receive assistance quickly enough.

   The victims, suffering primarily cuts and bruises, were treated at the airport's hospital ward.

   The prosecutor's office in Palermo plans to start an investigation. The Falcone-Borsellino Airport was to remain closed to air traffic until Sunday afternoon. The shutdown was initially due to be lifted at 9 pm (1900 GMT) on Saturday.

Firefighters have secured the plane, which was leaking fuel, Italian media reported.

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