Footage shows the moment a passenger plane appeared to catch fire after suffering a bird strike shortly after take-off from Italy.
The Hainan Airlines flight is understood to have been carrying 249 passengers and 16 crew members when the flames broke out shortly after it left Rome on Sunday morning.
The plane - believed to be a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner - was due to fly to the city of Shenzen in southeastern China, but was instead forced to make an emergency landing at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.
Hainan Airlines right now FCO ✈️ pic.twitter.com/MBmOKgaEuO
— 🅼🅰🆁🅲🅾 © 💭 🐺 (@JOOP99999) November 10, 2024
“On November 10th , 2024, Hainan Airlines flight HU438 (Rome-Shenzhen) encountered a bird strike on the right engine during take-off,” said Hainan Airlines in a statement on X.
“In order to ensure safety, the crew promptly returned to the airport according to procedures.
HAINAN AIRLINES plane took off from Rome Fiumicino with one engine on fire. pic.twitter.com/QTHIq4i6F9
— jimmy. islas (@jimmy405) November 11, 2024
The flight landed safely at Fiumicino Airport in Rome at 11.06am local time (6.06pm Beijing time), and all passengers have disembarked in an orderly manner. Hainan Airlines will ensure proper follow-up assistance for passengers.”
Video shared on social media appeared to show the moment flames repeatedly burst from one of the engines flight following the bird strike. The plane is then understood to have circled over the sea for some time to dump enough fuel to allow it to land safely.
Social media users shared their shock at the footage.
“Thank goodness it was able to return safely! I’ll bet there were some anxious moments on that plane,” wrote one person on X.
“Horrific,” wrote another. “Thoughts and prayers for all those involved.”
