China minister hurt in plane crash

BEIJING - A Chinese vice minister was amongst the 54 seriously injured in the plane crash in Heilongjiang province that left 42 people dead.

The passenger aircraft overshot the runway and burst into flames while landing at Lindu airport in Yichun city Tuesday night.

Xinhua news agency reported that Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Sun Baoshu was in a critical condition.

“He suffered broken bones and injures in the brain and lungs,” said Li Jinchang, a doctor who operated on Sun.

The doctor said the operation lasted for four hours until 2 a.m.