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A major aviation scare unfolded at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport when a SWISS International Air Lines flight bound for Zurich faced a sudden engine malfunction during its takeoff roll early Sunday morning.
Engine Failure During Takeoff Roll at IGI Airport
According to initial reports, the aircraft—an Airbus A330 operating as flight LX147—was accelerating on the runway when one of its engines failed and reportedly caught fire, forcing an immediate halt to the departure process.
Takeoff Aborted as Safety Protocols Activated
Following the engine failure, the flight crew quickly aborted the takeoff and initiated emergency procedures. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway, where airport emergency teams rushed in response.
Authorities confirmed that the situation escalated rapidly due to the engine fire alert, prompting an urgent evacuation of all passengers and crew onboard.
Emergency Evacuation on Runway
Passengers were evacuated using emergency slides directly onto the runway. Visuals from the scene showed emergency responders spraying water around the aircraft as precautionary measures were taken to control the situation.
The swift evacuation helped prevent a larger tragedy, though panic was reported among passengers as smoke and fire conditions developed near the aircraft.
6 Passengers Injured, Hospitalised
Officials confirmed that six passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation process and were immediately taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The airline stated that all injured passengers were receiving medical attention and that no crew members were hurt in the incident.
Aircraft Carrying Over 230 Passengers
Reports indicate that the aircraft was carrying more than 230 passengers, along with crew members, at the time of the incident. The flight was scheduled to depart from Delhi to Zurich when the technical issue occurred during the critical takeoff phase.
Investigation Underway
Aviation authorities, along with SWISS, have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the engine failure and fire. Airport operations were briefly impacted but resumed normal flow after the aircraft was secured and moved for inspection.
Airline Response
The airline has acknowledged the incident and assured full cooperation with investigators. It also confirmed that passenger safety remains the top priority and support arrangements are being made for affected travellers.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.