2-1-2024 (TOKYO) Chaos ensued at Haneda Airport in Tokyo as a passenger plane caught fire during landing on Tuesday, resulting in explosions and a frantic evacuation of passengers on board. The incident led to a temporary closure of the airport.
Reports from Japanese media indicated that explosions were heard on the runway of Haneda Airport, and an aircraft was engulfed in flames. The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) suggested that the incident may be linked to a collision with a Coast Guard aircraft.
According to TBS, a Japanese media outlet, the incident occurred around 5:47 pm when a Japan Airlines aircraft, flying as JL516, caught fire while approaching Haneda Airport. Witnesses observed passengers escaping from the aircraft.
BREAKING:
⚡ ???????? Collision caused plane to burst into flames in Japan
Japan Airlines Flight 516 reportedly collided with a Coast Guard aircraft on the tarmac and then burst into flames at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
All passengers were reportedly evacuated, however 5 crew members… pic.twitter.com/qYTDoDyUbN
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) January 2, 2024
Government officials stated that there were six individuals on board the Japan Coast Guard aircraft with registration number JA772A. Tragically, five of them have been reported missing.
The incident involved an Airbus A350 aircraft with 367 passengers, including 8 infants, and 12 crew members. The flight, originally scheduled to depart from New Chitose Airport in Sapporo, Hokkaido, at 3:50 pm, was delayed and took off at 4:27 pm. The aircraft landed on runway C at Haneda Airport at 5:47 pm. Thankfully, all passengers and crew have been safely evacuated.
Japanese media reports suggest that the aircraft involved in the incident may have collided with a Japan Coast Guard MA722 fixed-wing aircraft while taxiing on the runway before takeoff. The fixed-wing aircraft, belonging to the Haneda Aviation Base, was preparing to transport supplies to Ishikawa Prefecture, which had been affected by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on Monday.
Television footage showed the aircraft exploding into a fireball upon landing and continuing to move forward at high speed, leaving a trail of flames. A massive fireball was observed at the point of landing. The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined and whether it resulted from the collision with the Japan Coast Guard fixed-wing aircraft remains unknown.
In response to the incident, the Crisis Management Centre at the Prime Minister’s Office has established an information liaison office. The Tokyo Fire Department has dispatched at least 70 fire trucks and other vehicles to the scene.
The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department announced that the aircraft incident at Haneda Airport has affected at least 5 flights between Hong Kong International Airport and Haneda Airport. Passengers traveling to and from Haneda Airport in the next two days have been advised to stay updated with airline announcements and confirm their flights before heading to Hong Kong International Airport.
