Ryanair flight abandoned after plane catches fire with almost 200 passengers aboard
Passengers were forced to exit via the emergency slides as firefighters at the airport rushed to tackle the engine blaze.
Nearly 200 Ryanair passengers had to use the emergency slide to evacuate a plane today after it caught fire.
The Ryanair flight was ready for take-off at Brindisi Airport in Italy when flames came from the engine. Firefighters dashed to the plane, which aborted its departure, and the 184 passengers were evacuated using the inflatable slide.
All 184 passengers on the flight were evacuated safely. The operator has announced the airport is closed.
A spokesperson said: "Aeroporti di Puglia announces that due to a problem with a departing aircraft, it was necessary to close the Salento Airport in Brindisi.
"The problem, which occurred when the aircraft was already aligned at the head for take-off, required the evacuation of passengers via emergency slides.”
“Flight FR8826 from Brindisi to Turin (3rd Oct) was delayed this morning after cabin crew observed fumes on the outside of the aircraft. Passengers were disembarked without incident and returned to the terminal by bus,” a Ryanair spokesperson said.
"We sincerely apologise to affected passengers for this delay, and a spare aircraft will operate Flight FR8826 from Brindisi to Turin later this morning.”
This incident follows another earlier this week where a Ryanair aircraft’s tyres burst upon landing in Bergamo Airport near Milan.