Swiss flight aborts takeoff in Delhi, evacuated after engine scare; 6 hurt

The incident took place when the aircraft was preparing to take off. A full emergency was declared at the airport at around 2 am. Multiple fire tenders were rushed to the scene of the incident, sources said.

In Short

• Smoke was seen coming out of the aircraft's left landing gear
• The situation prompted an emergency evacuation of the flight
• The aeroplane involved in the incident was an Airbus 330-343

A major fire scare engulfed Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport when smoke was observed coming out of one of the landing gears of a Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) aircraft operating a flight to Switzerland's Zurich early Sunday, sources said. Meanwhile, flames were seen near the other landing gear, they added. The situation prompted an emergency evacuation of the aeroplane.

At least six passengers were injured, the airline informed, adding that the aircraft's takeoff was aborted after an "issue occurred with one of the engines." The incident took place on a runway when the flight was preparing to leave for its destination.

Smoke was suddenly seen coming out of the left landing gear, sources said. A full emergency was declared at the airport at around 2 am due to the incident. Multiple fire tenders were rushed to the scene, sources said.

Purported videos of the incident are doing rounds on social media. One of them shows firefighters spraying water at the aircraft's body.

(Video shared on X by @JainIshan316)

The SWISS aircraft, an Airbus 330-343, had 232 passengers and 13 crew members onboard.

'AIRPORT OPERATIONS UNAFFECTED'

"In the early hours of this morning, a full emergency was declared at Delhi Airport involving Swiss International Airlines flight LX 147 (DEL-ZRH) on Runway 28/10. All prescribed safety protocols were promptly executed, and passengers were safely evacuated. Airport operations remained unaffected," the managing authority of the IGI Airport said in a formal statement.

Separately, in a detailed statement issued by SWISS, a spokesperson for the airline said, "The crew rejected the takeoff and, following an assessment of the situation, decided as a precaution to evacuate the aircraft."

"All passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft via the emergency slides. Four passengers are currently undergoing medical evaluation. For a small number of individuals who were unable to use the slides, stairs were provided," the spokesperson added, per news agency PTI.

According to the spokesperson, technical experts will be sent to New Delhi to inspect the aircraft and initiate the next steps.

- Ends
(With inputs from agencies)