A Ryanair plane caught fire at Brindisi Airport in Italy today, resulting in the evacuation of nearly 200 passengers. The incident occurred as the plane was preparing for takeoff and flames were spotted coming from the engine. Firefighters quickly responded to the scene, and the 184 passengers on board were forced to use the emergency slides to exit the aircraft, as reported by the Mirror.
The airport in Brindisi has been temporarily closed due to the emergency situation. A spokesperson for Aeroporti di Puglia stated, “The problem, which occurred when the aircraft was already aligned at the head for take-off, required the evacuation of passengers via emergency slides.” The safety of passengers and crew was ensured during the evacuation process, and the passengers are currently being assisted by airport personnel.
Ryanair and British Airways are among the airlines that operate at Brindisi Airport, which serves millions of passengers annually. The affected Ryanair flight, FR8826, was scheduled to fly from Brindisi to Turin before the incident occurred. The Mirror reached out to Ryanair for a statement following the incident.
Aeroporti di Puglia’s technicians are working on necessary interventions to allow for checks on the runway’s usability and the reopening of the airport. Passengers are urged to stay updated on the situation through official channels for any further developments.
The swift response to the fire and evacuation highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the prioritization of passenger safety in aviation incidents. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the impact on airport operations. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.