Third Chinese schoolgirl dies in Asiana air crash

Deborah Hersman, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board, explains the result of investigation into the Asiana Airlines jet crash in San Francisco, Thursday (local time). Yonhap

By Kim Jae-won

Another Chinese schoolgirl died in a San Francisco hospital on Friday (local time), becoming the third fatality in the crash of an Asiana Airlines jet at the city's airport last Saturday.

Asiana said Saturday that the number of fatalities increased to three, as a schoolgirl who was treated at the San Francisco International Airport died. The airline did not disclose her specific identity, saying the hospital declined to do so at the request from her families.

The teenage girl had been in critical condition, according to a statement from two doctors at the hospital, Reuters reported.

The Chinese Consulate in San Francisco confirmed that she was a Chinese national.

U.S. authorities have confirmed that a fire truck hit at one girl, although the exact cause of her death has not been confirmed.

The fatal accident involving the Boeing 777-200ER passenger jet that took place last Saturday, caused around 180 people to receive medical attention for their injuries. Of those injured, six still remain in hospital with at least one reportedly in critical condition.

Airport authorities meanwhile said that the wreckage of the ill-fated plane has been moved from the site of the crash and repairs to the runway and the seawall, which were damaged by the wide-body twin-engine plane that carried 307 people, are currently underway.

Authorities said the runway should be in operation by Sunday.