Rescue members work after a plane skidded off the runway at Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport on Wednesday. AP

Over 170 passengers had a lucky escape on Wednesday when the plane they were travelling in crashed and broke into three pieces.

However, according to the officials dozens of people were injured.

The jet skidded off the runway at an Istanbul airport and split into three after landing in rough weather.

The Boeing 737 operated by Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines had flown into Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen airport from the Aegean port city of Izmir in very wet weather, NTV broadcaster reported.

Istanbul governor put injury toll to 52 after the crash.

Fifty-two people were injured and taken to hospital, Istanbul governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Twitter.

"Efforts to evacuate those affected continue," he added.

Turkish television NTV showed images of the badly damaged plane and a fire inside, which was later put out by firefighters.

The plane had 171 passengers on board and six crew members, the governor said.

Turkish media said there were 12 children among the passengers.

Live images broadcast on Turkish television showed several people climbing through a large crack in the plane and escaping on one of the wings at the rear of the aircraft.

Some passengers were believed to be stuck inside the aircraft but local media reported that emergency workers are currently helping them.

After darkness fell, television footage showed dozens of rescue workers in high-visibility jackets surrounding the plane with flashlights.

Some sprayed water jets onto the severed body of the aircraft, while others could be seen climbing up onto the plane to comb through the cabin.

Agencies