Caribbean Airlines plane crashes in Guyana after landing in rainy conditions. The Boeing 737-800 flight from New York was carrying 157 passengers and six crew members to the International airport in Guyana's capital, Georgetown.

Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo said the plane, which had earlier made a stop in Trinidad, crashed on the runway, just stopping near a 61 metre ravine, which could have resulted in dozens of deaths.

Jagdeo said: "We are very, very grateful that more people were not injured,'' he said as authorities closed the airport, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and delaying dozens of flights.

Most of the injured were treated at the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital before being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Caribbean Airlines, which is based in Trinidad-based airline, is the single largest carrier in the region, operating at least five daily flights.