AI plane engine catches fire; passengers, crew safe

MUMBAI: 213 passengers and 16 crew members had a narrow escape at the Mumbai airport today after an engine of Air India's Riyadh-bound plane caught fire while taxiing for take-off.

No one was hurt in the incident as the blaze was put out immediately, spokespersons of Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) and Air India said.

The passengers were evacuated through emergency exit chutes of the Boeing B 747-400 aircraft which was brought to a halt on a taxiway and the emergency drill activated.

All passengers of AI-829 flight are safe, they said. The incident occurred this morning at around 1050. All the stranded passengers are being sent by another aircraft to their destination, the airline spokesperson said.

The cause of the fire was being investigated, the spokesperson added.