Haneda Airport Tragedy: Japan Airliner Collision Fire
In a devastating incident at Tokyo's Haneda airport, a Japan Airlines passenger plane collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on the ground, resulting in the loss of five lives among the coast guard crew. The tragic event unfolded on Tuesday, leaving the captain critically injured and the JAL plane engulfed in flames. All 379 passengers and crew on the JAL flight were successfully evacuated, escaping the fiery aftermath.
Transport minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed the grim news, stating that the coast guard aircraft, en route to central Japan after a recent earthquake, collided with the stationary JAL airliner. Despite the successful evacuation of the passenger plane, five out of six crew members from the coast guard aircraft lost their lives in the tragic incident.
Live footage broadcasted on public media captured the horrifying scene, with flames emanating from the windows of the Japan Airlines plane. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, as authorities emphasize that it is too early to determine the exact circumstances leading to the accident.
The captain of the coast guard plane survived but sustained injuries. Transport minister Saito cautioned against premature speculation about the cause, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Social media platforms were flooded with unverified footage depicting the JAL airliner moving along the runway before a sudden eruption of orange flames and thick black smoke. Emergency evacuation procedures were swiftly initiated, with passengers sliding down inflatable emergency slides as fire engines surrounded the aircraft.
Despite the evacuation efforts, the flames persisted, consuming the plane, reportedly an Airbus 350, that had arrived from New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The passengers included eight children who, along with other travelers, faced a harrowing experience as smoke filled the cabin, prompting a quick and coordinated evacuation.
Eyewitnesses shared their accounts of the chaotic scenes at the airport. One adult male passenger recounted, "Smoke began to fill the plane, and I thought, 'this could be really bad.' An announcement said doors in the back and middle could not be opened. So everyone disembarked from the front." A female passenger described the increasing darkness inside the plane as the fire intensified after landing, expressing genuine concern for her survival.
The Japan Coast Guard aircraft, preparing to deliver supplies to Ishikawa prefecture following a New Year's Day earthquake that claimed at least 48 lives, added a poignant layer to the tragedy. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed condolences for the deceased crew members, acknowledging their sense of mission and responsibility in aiding quake victims.
Japan Airlines reported that the collision occurred either on a runway or a taxiway after the passenger plane touched down. The aftermath of the collision included burning debris on the runway at Haneda, prompting the suspension of domestic flights while international operations continued.
As investigations into the incident proceed, the world watches with a heavy heart, recognizing that Japan has not faced a serious commercial aviation accident in decades. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks and challenges inherent in air travel, even for a country with a strong aviation safety record.
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By- Sahiba Suri
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