A harrowing incident shook Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday when a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 burst into flames following a ground collision with a Japan Coast Guard plane. The collision resulted in a catastrophic fire, leaving devastation in its wake.
With 367 passengers and 12 crew members aboard the Airbus A350, the chaotic scene witnessed a successful evacuation via emergency slides, though not without injuries. Reportedly, 17 individuals sustained injuries during the evacuation process.
Tragically, the coast guard aircraft, en route to provide earthquake relief supplies to a quake-hit region, collided with the JAL plane on the runway, claiming the lives of five of its six occupants. Captain Genki Miyamoto, though injured, survived the crash.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed deep regret over the loss of the five coast guard members, honoring their dedication to aiding victims of the recent earthquake.
As the investigation unfolds, questions arise about the sequence of events leading to the collision. NHK footage depicted a fiery blaze near the aircraft’s engines, with firefighters battling relentlessly to contain the inferno. Despite the prompt response of 70 fire trucks, the plane remained engulfed in flames, highlighting the severity of the incident.
Eyewitness accounts recount the panic and terror onboard, with passengers expressing shock and disbelief at the sudden turn of events. Uchida, a passenger on the ill-fated flight, described a moment of terror as flames emerged near the wing, reflecting on the ordeal and subsequent evacuation.
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The aftermath saw all four runways at Haneda closed, diverting flights to alternative airports across Japan. The collision, occurring during a peak travel period for New Year’s, significantly disrupted travel plans for countless passengers.
This incident marks a somber moment for Japan’s aviation sector, renowned for its safety standards. It underscores the gravity of the situation, particularly as it involves the Airbus A350, a modern aircraft type with an impeccable safety record.
As investigations continue to unravel the events leading to this tragic collision, Haneda Airport works toward resuming operations, trying to restore normalcy amidst the aftermath of this devastating incident.
