New Delhi: A Zurich-bound SWISS International Air Lines flight was forced to abort takeoff at Delhi airport early Sunday after an engine failure triggered a fire, leaving six passengers injured.
According to initial reports, flight LX147, an Airbus A330, began its takeoff roll around 1:08 am when one of its engines malfunctioned and caught fire. The crew immediately rejected the takeoff and initiated emergency protocols.
All passengers were evacuated on the runway using emergency slides as a precautionary measure. Authorities said six passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation and were taken to hospital for treatment. The crew members were reported to be safe.
In a statement, SWISS confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft, registered as HB-JHK, was carrying 228 passengers and four infants. “Shortly after takeoff, just after 1 am local time in India, an issue occurred with one of the engines. The crew rejected the takeoff and, following an assessment of the situation, decided as a precaution to evacuate the aircraft. Six passengers currently receiving medical attention, crew unharmed,” the airline said.
Delhi airport also issued a statement confirming the emergency response. “In the early hours of this morning, a full emergency was declared at Delhi Airport involving Swiss International Airlines flight LX 147 (DEL-ZRH) on Runway 28/10.
All prescribed safety protocols were promptly executed, and passengers were safely evacuated. Airport operations remained unaffected,” it said.
The airline added that a task force has been set up to manage the situation. For a few passengers who were unable to use emergency slides, stairs were arranged to facilitate evacuation.
SWISS said its ground teams in Delhi are assisting affected passengers with rebooking options and hotel accommodation.
“Such a situation is stressful for everyone involved. Our local teams are taking care of our passengers on site and are in direct contact with them,” the statement said.
The airline also said its technical experts will travel to Delhi to inspect the aircraft and determine the cause of the incident.
“We are working closely with local authorities and are committed to fully understanding what led to the incident. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” it added.
