A Turkish Airlines aircraft experienced a tire fire Monday after touching down at Nepal’s main airport in Kathmandu, prompting officials to evacuate all passengers and crew members safely.
The incident occurred when the Airbus A330, which had flown from Istanbul, developed a fire in one of its tires following landing. Airport operations were suspended for one hour while emergency crews responded to the situation.
Emergency evacuation procedures were immediately activated, with all 277 passengers and 11 crew members exiting the aircraft through emergency slides. No injuries were sustained during the evacuation, according to Gyanendra Bhul, who serves as spokesperson for Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority.
“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 explained to reporters.
Fire crews successfully extinguished the blaze, and the aircraft was subsequently moved to a taxiway area where it remains out of service. Airport operations resumed after the emergency response concluded.
Turkish Airlines has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
