New Delhi: An Air India flight with the crew and nearly 145 passengers on board was evacuated after a fire was detected in one of its engines right before take off.
According to the reports, the flight bound for Kochi was preparing to take off from Muscat when the incident took place. Passengers were left baffled when they saw smoke coming out of the airplane.
All 145 passengers including four infants were evacuated by the airport staff and were shifted to the terminal building. No injuries have been reported yet.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement that a relief flight will be organized for the passengers.
A video of the incident is doing rounds on the internet as it shows the Air India aircraft amidst a thick white smoke.
Watch:
A user named Utkarsh Singh shared the clip with caption, “Passengers evacuated via slides after smoke on Air India Express Muscat-Cochin flight IX-442, VT-AXZ.- There were 141 passengers plus 6 crew onboard and all are safe. #airindia”.
Passengers evacuated via slides after smoke on Air India Express Muscat-Cochin flight IX-442, VT-AXZ.- There were 141 passengers plus 6 crew onboard and all are safe. #airindia pic.twitter.com/OtHERoQAoZ
— Utkarsh Singh (@utkarshs88) September 14, 2022
The DGCA said, “All passengers were safely evacuated after smoke was detected in engine no. 2 of Air India Express flight (to Cochin) on the runway at Muscat airport. Relief flight to be arranged. We will investigate the incident and also take appropriate action.”