An Emirates flight was forced to return to the gate in dramatic scenes after smoke was detected moments before takeoff
Fire appliances were seen spraying the Boeing 777 as smoke billowed from the aircraft ahead of a flight from St Petersburg to Dubai.
Passengers were ordered to disembark into the terminal at Pulkovo airport shortly before midnight.
"Smoke came from an aircraft engine at St Petersburg Pulkovo airport,” said a Russian emergency services official.
“Flight EK176 from St Petersburg to Dubai on June 30, 2023 returned to the stand due to reports of smoke being detected during pushback for departure," said an Emirates spokesperson.
"As a precaution, all passengers and crew were disembarked while the aircraft was attended by the local authorities and fire services.”
The cause of the smoke - evidently linked to the plane’s rear auxiliary power unit rather than a main engine on the wing - was not disclosed.
A total of 228 passengers and 15 crew were disembarked.
The Boeing 777 eventually took off some five hours late and arrived safely in Dubai at around 11:30am local time following a six and a half hour flight.
The airline spokesperson said: "Passengers were re-boarded after inspections were completed and the aircraft departed with a delay.
“We apologise for the inconvenience.
“The safety of our passengers and cabin crew is of utmost importance and it will not be compromised.”
Emirates has continued to operate flights to and from Russia over the past few years.
This is despite Vladimir Putin ’s war in Ukraine, which has seen Western airlines cancel all services to the country.
As a result, sanctions relating to the aircraft industry have hit Russia's ability to service and repair planes.
