Officials on the Colombian resort island of San Andres have partially reopened the local airport’s only runway to allow special purpose flights relating to the crash of an Aires Boeing 737-700 on Monday. Authorities on the Colombian resort island of San Andres say it’s amazing more people weren’t killed when an Aires Airlines Boeing 737 crashed on landing and split into three pieces early Monday. Police say one female passenger died on the way to hospital. Six people were seriously hurt and more than 100 were treated for various less serious injuries. There were 125 passengers and six crew on the plane. “It was a miracle and we have to give thanks to God,” island Gov. Pedro Gallardo said. Weather was stormy and there have been reports the aircraft was hit by lightning before the crash. There was also a stroke of luck for the crash victims.
San Andres is a popular tourist destination and there was a group of vacationing police officers waiting for the flight to take them back to the mainland. They sprang into action when the aircraft crash and may have helped reduce the body count. Meanwhile, the wreckage is still on the runway as authorities do their investigations. There’s about 5,000 feet of the 9.000-foot runway available.
