A major aviation mishap was narrowly averted early Sunday at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after a Zurich-bound Swiss Air Airbus A330 developed an engine fire during takeoff. The aircraft was accelerating on the runway when a sudden technical fault caused one of its engines to catch fire, triggering an emergency situation.
The pilots responded promptly by aborting the takeoff and bringing the aircraft to a safe halt on the runway. Emergency protocols were immediately activated, ensuring that the situation did not escalate into a major disaster during a critical phase of the flight.
Emergency evacuation from Swiss Delhi – Zurich flight LX0147 pic.twitter.com/rvzhCPb3bg
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Cabin crew initiated an emergency evacuation by opening exits and deploying slides. In the ensuing rush and panic, six passengers sustained injuries and were provided initial treatment by airport medical teams before being shifted to nearby hospitals. Officials confirmed that all 232 people on board, including crew members, were safely evacuated.
Passengers have been accommodated at nearby hotels, and the airline is arranging an alternative flight to Zurich. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a detailed probe into the cause of the engine fire, with experts noting that timely detection prevented a potentially catastrophic mid-air incident.