Saudia aircraft catches fire in Pakistan; all passengers safe
RIYADH, July 11, 2024
A Saudia aircraft from Riyadh caught fire on landing at Peshawar’s airport in Pakistan on Thursday. All 276 passengers and 21 crew were safely evacuated and fire services quickly extinguished the fire and prevented a major incident, said media reports.
The fire broke out in the landing gear of the Saudi Airlines plane leaving around 10 passengers injured. However, all 276 passengers and 21 crew members were safely evacuated using the inflatable slide, reported Bloomberg citing Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorities.
Upon landing at Peshawar's Bacha Khan International Airport, air traffic controllers witnessed fire and smoke on the left-hand side of the landing gear, said local media reports.
Soon, the controller informed the pilot and rescue teams, after which fire vehicles extinguished the flames.
According to Samaa TV, a few passengers with minor injuries were administered first aid.
The Saudi carrier, in a statement, to ANI said: "Our flight SV792, bound from Riyadh to Peshawar experienced smoke emanating from one of the tyres during landing at Peshawar International Airport in Pakistan. The aircraft was immediately stopped, and the relevant authorities were notified. All guests and crew were safely evacuated through the evacuation slide.
The aircraft, a seven-year-old Airbus A330-300, is now undergoing comprehensive inspections and subsequent tests to ensure its safety, Saudi officials added.
