Thai plane crash in Phuket kills 88

At least 88 people died when a budget Thai airliner crashed on landing at the southern resort island of Phuket during heavy rain.

Forty two people were injured, Phuket deputy governor Vorapot Rajsima told a news conference, and a hospital official said at least five of the survivors were seriously hurt.

Flight manifests at Phuket airport suggested well over half the 123 passengers on the flight from the Thai capital were foreign and an Airports of Thailand official in Bangkok said most of the foreigners were European holidaymakers.

There were seven crew members on board. Earlier reports had said there were five.

Eight Britons, eight Thais, five Germans and two Australians were among 42 known survivors, hospital workers said.

Officials said the McDonnell Douglas MD-82 had broken in two on impact on landing. TV images showed a crumpled fuselage.

"The first part of the plane is dug into the ground. The tail section is stuck on the runway," he told Thai radio.

No one from the UAE was believed to be onboard the ill-fated Thai jetliner, according to a UAE embassy official in Thailand.
Mohammad Al Jarwan, medical attaché at the embassy, told Gulf News that they have not received any reports of any UAE nationals on board the flight.

“As far as we know now, there was no one from the UAE on board. But we will know more tomorrow,'' he added.

Thailand and its seaside resort Phuket are popular destinations with UAE tourists.