Turkish Airlines plane catches fire after landing in Kathmandu, Nepal

A Turkish Airlines plane caught fire in its landing gear tyres after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday (11 May) morning, temporarily disrupting airport operations, officials said.

All 277 passengers and 11 crew on the Airbus A330 arriving from Istanbul were evacuated using the emergency exits following the fire, and nobody was injured, Gyanendra Bhul, a Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal spokesperson, told Reuters.

"The fire broke out in the right rear tyre of the aircraft ... The fire was doused and the plane was towed to the taxiway ... It is grounded," Bhul said.

Turkish Airlines said smoke was observed in the landing gear while taxiing, and technical inspections had been initiated.

"Initial assessments indicate that the smoke was caused by a technical malfunction in a hydraulic pipe," Yahya Ustun, the airline's Senior Vice President, Communications, said on social media platform X.

An additional flight has been planned for the return of the passengers, he added.

The incident occurred on the runway, forcing a temporary halt to takeoffs and landings at Nepal’s main international airport.

Information officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Gyanendra Bhul said efforts were underway to tow the aircraft to the taxiway after the fire was brought under control.

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News Politics Türkiye Turkish Airlines Plane fire Fire Nepal Kathmandu