 |  | This television frame grab taken from NDTV shows a Boeing 727 aircraft of the state-run national carrier Air India on fire. -- PHOTO: AFP |
MUMBAI- AN ENGINE on an Air India airliner caught fire on Friday as the jet prepared to take off from Mumbai, triggering an evacuation that left some of its 213 passengers with minor injuries, the airline said.
'Flames were noticed in one of the engines. The fire was immediately extinguished,' an Air India spokesperson said. 'All the passengers are safe.'
Some of the passengers suffered bruises and scratches during the emergency evacuation via slides but they were treated at the airport, the spokesman said.
Indian television broadcast images showing smoke billowing from one of the Boeing 747's engines as it stood on the tarmac of Mumbai's international airport.
The plane was heading to Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, on flight AI-829.
All passengers would continue their travels on an alternate flight, the spokesman said, adding that an investigation into the mishap had been ordered. -- AFPSource