Lufthansa cargo aircraft crash lands in Riyadh

The aircraft was destroyed after catching fire and breaking in two. According to a statement from the German carrier, the pilot of flight LH8460 reported a fire in the cargo bay.  Lufthansa said the plane had been due to continue to Sharjah in the UAE after leaving Riyadh. It was carrying 80 metric tons of freight when it crashed. “The cause of the incident is being investigated,” the airline said.

According to Saudi officials one of the airport’s two runways will remain closed. The wreckage in being moved after air crash investigators have logged the parts. 

The pilot and co-pilot have been taken to a hospital and the outlook for both of them is “good,” The statement from Lufthansa said.