KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysia Airlines flight from Hyderabad to Kuala Lumpur caught fire mid-air following which it made an emergency landing.
According to The Times of India report, flight MH199 with 138 passengers onboard had just taken off at 12:45 am but was returned back to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport after the incident.
According to FlightRadar24.com, the plane is a Boeing 737-800. The flight’s departure time was scheduled for 12:15 am, but it took off half an hour late.
A passenger posted a video on X which showed sparks coming from the plane’s right engine, reportedly about 15 minutes after take off. Hindi channel NDTV.com said the plane briefly flew over the airport before being allowed to make an emergency landing.
Meanwhile, The Hindu news portal said it spoke to a Malaysia Airlines representative who confirmed the emergency landing and engine problem.
The spokesperson said accommodation had been provided to affected passengers and the airline was working to arrange an alternative flight.
A Malaysia Airlines spokesperson later told Scoop that all passengers and crew on board the flight were safe and that alternative flight arrangements were being made.