Saudi Airlines flight with 297 passengers catches fire, makes emergency landing at Peshawar airport
Peshawar: A Saudi Airlines flight from Riyadh ignited upon landing at Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar on Thursday, leading to a rapid evacuation of all passengers and crew, according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The aircraft, carrying 297 passengers, caught fire while landing at the Peshawar airport in Pakistan, reported the Pakistan Observer.
Reports indicate that the incident was caused by a problem with the landing gear.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson Saifullah stated that air traffic controllers observed smoke and sparks coming from the left-hand side landing gear as the plane landed and promptly alerted the pilots and the airport's fire and rescue services.
Saudi Airline’s plane ✈️ got fire at Peshawar airport, safety protocols are activated. pic.twitter.com/iuxq6mmxjd
— فرحان الحق کیانی (@Farhan_Kiyani) July 11, 2024
CAA fire vehicles quickly arrived and managed to extinguish the flames, the statement added.
According to CAA spokesperson Saifullah, air traffic controllers witnessed smoke and sparks emanating from the left-hand side landing gear of the aircraft as it landed and alerted the pilots. At the same time, they informed the airport fire and rescue services.
Reaching the scene, CAA fire vehicles were able to extinguish the flames engulfing the landing gear, the statement read.
“The fire tenders acted in time and immediately controlled the fire in the landing gear, saving the aircraft from a major accident,” Saifullah said. “All 276 passengers and 21 crew members were safely evacuated with an inflatable slide.”
Video footage from the scene showed passengers disembarking the aircraft using the emergency slide.
Peshawar airport officials confirmed that the airport remains operational and all flights will continue as scheduled.
Saudi Airlines issued a statement saying that the aircraft "experienced smoke emanating from one of the tires during landing at Peshawar International Airport in Pakistan."
"Saudia clarifies that its aircraft, flying from Riyadh to Peshawar on flight SV792, experienced smoke emanating from one of the tires during landing at Peshawar International Airport in Pakistan," it said.
"The aircraft was immediately stopped and the relevant authorities were notified. All guests and crew were safely evacuated through the evacuation slide. The aircraft is now undergoing technical evaluation by specialists," the statement added.
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