A terrifying scene unfolded at one of India’s busiest airports when a Swiss International Air Lines flight burst into flames during takeoff, forcing a frantic emergency evacuation that left several people injured.
The Airbus A330 was set to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi for Zurich shortly after 1 a.m. local time on Sunday when disaster struck on the runway. According to local reports, the aircraft had accelerated to nearly 120 mph before one of its engines suddenly caught fire, prompting pilots to slam the brakes and abort takeoff.
With flames erupting from the aircraft, passengers were ordered to evacuate immediately. The plane was carrying 232 passengers, including four infants, along with 13 crew members. In the chaos, passengers and crew escaped using emergency slides as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Officials said four passengers and one crew member were hurt during the evacuation. The four injured passengers were taken to a hospital in nearby Gurgaon for treatment, while the crew member reportedly suffered a sprained ankle.
The frightening incident triggered a full emergency response at the airport, and the runway was shut down for about three hours as authorities dealt with the aftermath.
Swiss International Air Lines said it quickly launched a task force to support those on board and help affected passengers with rebooking arrangements. Meanwhile, investigators are now working to determine exactly what caused the engine fire. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and aviation regulators have both been called in to examine the incident.
What should have been a routine international flight turned into a runway nightmare in seconds, leaving shaken passengers scrambling for safety as investigators search for answers.
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