KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysia Airlines flight from Hyderabad bound for Kuala Lumpur was forced to make an emergency landing after one of its engines caught fire mid-air.
The Times of India reported that Flight MH199 carried 138 passengers and had just taken off at 12.45am but turned back to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport after the fire broke out.
The plane, according to FlightRadar24.com, is a Boeing 737-800.
The flight’s scheduled departure time was 12.15am but it took off half an hour late.
Video by a passenger posted on X showed sparks flying from the plane’s right engine, reportedly about 15 minutes after take-off. Hindi channel, NDTV.com, said the plane circled above the airport briefly before it received clearance to make the emergency landing.
News portal The Hindu, meanwhile, said it spoke to a Malaysia Airlines representative who confirmed the emergency landing and engine problem.
The spokesman said that accommodation has been provided for affected passengers and the airline is working on arranging an alternative flight.
At press time, Malaysia Airlines has yet to issue a statement nor has it updated its social media channels on the incident.
Meanwhile, a Malaysia Airlines spokesman told Scoop later that all passengers and crew on MH199 are safe, and that alternative flight arrangements are being made. – June 20, 2024