TOKYO \u2014 A passenger aircraft erupted in flames upon landing at a Tokyo airport on Tuesday, following a collision with a coast guard plane that resulted in the deaths of five individuals, according to officials.<\/p>\n
All 379 passengers and crew members successfully evacuated the Japan Airlines aircraft, Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito stated during a news conference. The coast guard pilot managed to escape, but five crew members lost their lives, he noted.<\/p>\n
The coast guard plane was en route to deliver earthquake relief supplies to Niigata prefecture on the western coast of the country after a series of powerful tremors claimed at least 55 lives and caused extensive damage, Saito reported. He added that there was no immediate information regarding the cause of the incident.<\/p>\n
Dramatic footage aired by the Japanese public broadcaster NHK depicted clouds of orange flames and black smoke enveloping the passenger jet as it landed at Haneda Airport in the capital.<\/p>\n
Video footage captured the aircraft\u2019s side and areas around the wing ablaze as it taxied down the runway, before the fire spread to the cabin and rescue teams rushed to the scene. A local fire department dispatched at least 70 fire trucks and other vehicles to combat the blaze, NHK reported.<\/p>\n
The passenger plane had entered the airport\u2019s runway and subsequently collided with the coast guard aircraft on the runway, stated Shigenori Hiraoka, the director general of the ministry\u2019s civil aviation bureau.<\/p>\n
The Transport Safety Board will commence an investigation immediately, he announced at a joint news conference with coast guard officials. French accident investigators are also en route to the location, according to the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety.<\/p>\n
A passenger aboard the Japan Airlines flight recounted how the cabin became filled with smoke within minutes.<\/p>\n
Anton Deibe, 17, from Sweden, informed NBC News that the plane was preparing to land when he glanced to his left and observed \u201cflames all over the windows.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aircraft began to tremble, the lights went out, and a chorus of screams erupted in Japanese, which I could not comprehend,\u201d recounted Deibe, who was accompanied by his parents and sister. \u201cInitially, I thought perhaps we had collided with a bird; I was completely unaware. However, the shaking persisted, and eventually, we landed. It felt as though we were about to slide off the runway.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlack smoke began to seep into the cabin\u2026 making it difficult to breathe. I grabbed my hoodie, the only item I had left \u2014 everything else had been consumed by flames \u2014 and used it to cover my face,\u201d he continued. \u201cAfter some time, they finally opened the doors, and everyone rushed out, necessitating a jump from the plane.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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