An Air India Express flight from Bengaluru to Kochi made an emergency landing at Bengaluru after a fire was noticed in one of the engines, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) reported on Sunday.
According to Air India Express, all passengers and crew were evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported. The fire was detected minutes after takeoff.
Crew members alerted Air Traffic Control, leading to the declaration of a full-scale emergency. The flight, IX 1132, landed safely at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru at 11:12 PM on May 18, 2024. The fire was extinguished shortly after landing.
A BIAL spokesperson confirmed that all 179 passengers and six crew members were evacuated without injury. An Air India Express spokesperson stated that suspected flames from the right engine prompted the flight to return and make a precautionary landing.
Ground services corroborated the presence of flames, necessitating the evacuation.
"The crew successfully evacuated all guests without injury. We regret the inconvenience caused and are arranging alternative transportation for passengers to reach their destination as soon as possible," the airline stated.
Air India Express also announced a thorough investigation with regulatory authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
Follow us
