KATHMANDU, Nepal–An An Indigo IGO 031 Airbus 320 has caught fire while landing at Tribbhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu on Saturday. However, all the passengers are safe, as they were rescued in time.
The airbus flight, A 320, caught fire in the plane’s rear wheel at around 12:35 p.m. Saturday afternoon. All the 174 passengers were rescued through the emergency doors when smoke and fire was detected from the undercarriage of the aircraft minutes after it landed, TIA source said.
“After parking, the ground engineer observed smoke and fire from the right brake assembly… All 175 passengers, including an infant and six crew members are safe,” said a statement issued by TIA.
An official Twitter account of the Air Indigo Airlines claimed that all the passengers on board were evacuated within 81 seconds.
The fire was immediately doused with the help of a fire engine stationed at the airport. The reason behind the fire is yet to ascertain.
The airline registered in India had flown from New Delhi to KathmanduIt said that the investigation is underway.
Another Airbus of Indigo landed at the TIA Saturday evening from New Delhi with their investigation team, it is learnt.
Earlier on Friday, a Twin Otter aircraft belonging to state-owned Nepal Airlines made an emergency landing at the TIA, moments after it took-off.