Himal Hub /A Turkish Airlines plane caught fire while landing in Kathmandu early Monday morning, but all 277 passengers on board, including four children, were safely evacuated. Some passengers sustained minor injuries during the rescue operation.
The incident occurred around 6:45 am when Flight TK726, arriving from Istanbul, experienced a fire in its landing gear during touchdown. The fire was quickly brought under control by the airport fire brigade.
According to Gyanendra Bhul, spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), all passengers were safely rescued through emergency exits. “The evacuation was carried out promptly, and everyone is safe,” he said.
While no fatalities were reported, some passengers suffered minor injuries during the evacuation. Personal belongings and some cargo on the aircraft were also affected by the fire.
The aircraft came to a stop on the runway, causing disruption to international flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport. Several international flights faced delays as the plane remained immobilized on the runway.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, but initial reports suggest it originated from the plane’s landing gear during touchdown.
This incident marks a rare but dramatic event in Kathmandu’s aviation history, highlighting the effectiveness of emergency response procedures in ensuring passenger safety.
