A Embrear 190 aircraft is seen after an emergency landing at Simon Bolivar airport in Santa Marta, about 1286 Km (800 miles) north of Bogota, July 17, 2007. The flight originating in Cali, slid when landing on the wet runway, local media said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BOGOTA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- A Colombian plane carrying 54 passengers skidded off a wet runway and plunged nose-first into the Caribbean Sea Tuesday in Santa Marta, 950 km north of Bogota, injuring at least six people, local aviation officials said.

    The plane, operated by Aero Republica, smashed through the fence at the end of the runway at Simon Bolivar airport and slid halfway into the water when landing in heavy rain, the officials said, adding that the plane was evacuated and six people were slightly injured.

    The city of Santa Marta is a tourist destination on Colombia's north coast.

A Embraer 190 aircraft is seen after an emergency landing at Simon Bolivar airport in Santa Marta, about 1286 km (800 miles) north of Bogota, July 17, 2007. The flight originating in Cali, slid when landing on the wet runway, local media said.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>