Emriates Boeing 777 crash lands at Dubai airport
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
The accident at the Middle East’s busiest airport happened at around 12.45pm local time as Flight EK521 was arriving from the southern Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram, Dubai-based Emirates said.
It confirmed there were no fatalities and said “all passengers and crew are accounted for and safe”.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Boeing 777 was carrying 282 passengers and 18 crew members, according to the airline, which had earlier provided a lower figure.
The Dubai government’s official media office separately said that all passengers were “evacuated safely and no injuries have been reported so far”.
It said authorities were “dealing with the incident at the moment to ensure safety of all” and that all departures from the airport had been halted until further notice.
Emirates predicted there would be a four-hour delay in operations across its network.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Our main priority at this time is the safety and wellbeing of all involved and full co-operation is being extended to the authorities and emergency services managing the situation,” the carrier said.
Video posted online showed black smoke billowing from what looked like an Emirates jetliner lying on its belly on the runway.
Firefighters soon managed to bring the fire under control, and the charred fuselage of the plane appeared to no longer be burning.
The top of the aircraft was scorched brown from near the cockpit back to its tail. Several yellow fire trucks surrounded the plane.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDubai resident Girisankal Gangadhakan said his wife called him after the plane landed to tell him that she and their three children onboard had been involved in an accident but were safe.
“I was shocked when I heard about that,” he said.
The Boeing 777 departed Thiruvananthapuram at 10.19am and was scheduled to land at 12.50pm local time, according to Emirates.
Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the south-western Indian state of Kerala. Many migrant workers employed in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations come from Kerala, which is a popular beachside tourist destination.
Dubai International is by far the Middle East’s busiest airport and is the world’s busiest air hub in terms of international passenger traffic.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdGovernment-backed Emirates is the region’s biggest carrier, and operates the world’s largest airline fleet of the wide-body 777 long-haul aircraft.
DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY