An engine fire forced the evacuation of an Air India Express plane as it prepared to take off from Oman on Wednesday, officials said. Some passengers sustained light injuries.
Smoke billowed from the plane in footage broadcast by Omani TV as passengers streamed across the tarmac for departure to Kochi in southern India.
The airline stated some of the 141 passengers suffered “minor bruises”, adding that there was no fire warning in the cockpit and another aircraft observed the smoke.
In a statement, it was stated that another aircraft observed fumes emanating from one of the engines while it was on the taxiway, but that there was no indication of a fire in the cockpit.
To ensure ample precautions, the crew activated the onboard fire extinguishers as soon as they stopped on the taxiway.
The passengers will be transported to Kochi on a relief flight later on Wednesday, according to Air India Express.
Arun Kumar, the director general of the Indian Civil Aviation Directorate, informed that “appropriate action” would be taken in response to the incident.
Immediately following the discovery of smoke in engine number two, all passengers were safely evacuated… We will investigate the incident and take appropriate action,” Kumar stated.
