Fire Erupts in Turkish Airlines Plane During Kathmandu Landing
Panic gripped Kathmandu International Airport after a Turkish Airlines aircraft caught fire during landing, but quick action by emergency teams safely rescued all 289 people onboard.
A tense situation unfolded at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu after a Turkish Airlines aircraft caught fire while landing. The incident created panic among passengers and airport staff as smoke and flames were reportedly seen near the aircraft’s tyres.
According to airport authorities, the aircraft was arriving from Istanbul when the fire broke out during touchdown. Emergency response teams stationed at the airport acted immediately and managed to control the flames before the situation turned more serious.
All Passengers Rescued Safely
Officials confirmed that all 289 people onboard the aircraft were safely evacuated. The flight reportedly carried 278 passengers along with 11 crew members.
Authorities also stated that some United Nations officials were among the passengers travelling on the flight. They too were safely rescued without injuries after emergency personnel rushed to the scene.
Police and airport officials later confirmed that the fire had been completely extinguished and the situation was brought under control quickly.
Emergency Teams Responded Immediately
Kathmandu airport security officials said the aircraft involved was Turkish Airlines flight TK 726 operating from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Silawal said firefighters deployed at the airport responded without delay after the tyre caught fire during landing.
The rapid response by rescue and fire safety teams prevented a possible major disaster. Passengers were immediately taken out of the aircraft and shifted to safer areas inside the airport.
Rising Concern Over Aviation Safety
The incident has once again raised concerns about aviation safety as several aircraft related emergencies and accidents have been reported worldwide in recent months.
Airport authorities said staff members remain on high alert during flight operations because even minor negligence can put hundreds of lives at risk. Officials are expected to conduct a detailed technical inspection to determine the exact reason behind the tyre fire.
