Emirates Flight Crashes at Dubai Airport, Multiple Injuries Reported

Dubai, UAE – On Wednesday, an Emirates Airline flight traveling from Thiruvananthapuram, India, to Dubai International Airport made an emergency crash landing before bursting into flames.

According to Flight Radar, the airport was immediately closed following the incident, and all take-offs and landings were suspended. Images and videos circulated on social media showed a massive black cloud of smoke rising from the burning aircraft.

Emirates Confirms Incident and Ensures Safety

In a statement on Twitter (X), Emirates Airlines confirmed that flight EK521, operating from Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) to Dubai, was involved in an accident upon landing at Dubai International Airport. The airline reported that 275 people were on board, including both passengers and crew. Emirates emphasized that ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone on board remained their top priority.

Eyewitness Reports and Aviation Expert Analysis

Aviation expert Alex Macheras, based in London, described the incident as rare in an interview with Al Jazeera. He also noted that travelers scheduled to fly to Dubai would likely face long delays.

“The Emirates fleet operates primarily long-haul flights, and Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest in the world,” Macheras explained. “The aircraft was approaching the airport for landing in what appeared to be a routine descent. However, judging from the disturbing images, the landing gear is completely absent.”

Shocking Footage and Images from the Scene

Graphic video footage, believed to be from the incident, showed flames erupting from the front of the aircraft while thick black smoke billowed into the sky. News agency Reuters was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the footage.

Social media images displayed the Boeing 777-300 lying severely damaged on the runway, resting on its belly. Smoke was visibly rising from the front section of the aircraft, indicating the severity of the impact.

Dubai Airport Suspends All Flights

Authorities confirmed that all departures from Dubai International Airport, which is recognized as the world’s busiest airport for international travel, were temporarily suspended following the accident.

A spokesperson for Dubai Airports, the operator of Dubai International, assured the public that all passengers and crew had been safely evacuated before the fire spread further. Emergency response teams were on-site, actively managing the situation.

Official Statements from Emirates and Boeing

In an official statement, Emirates Airlines reconfirmed that there were 282 passengers and 18 crew members aboard the Boeing 777-300 at the time of the crash landing. The airline reiterated its commitment to prioritizing passenger safety and announced an estimated four-hour network-wide delay due to the disruption.

Meanwhile, Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, stated that it was closely monitoring the situation and would be cooperating with Emirates and local aviation authorities to gather further information.

Details of the Crash Landing

The crash landing occurred at approximately 12:45 PM local time. Initial reports indicate that the aircraft landed tail-first, causing the right wing to catch fire upon impact. Witnesses stated that part of the right engine detached from the aircraft during the landing.

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A pilot who witnessed the event told NDTV that the plane was descending at an unusually high speed and struck the runway with its tail-first. He reported seeing flames erupting immediately after impact, followed by the right landing gear collapsing and the right engine detaching. The aircraft then skidded across the runway before finally coming to a stop.

Passenger Accounts and Emergency Response

Passengers described a terrifying experience inside the aircraft. One passenger, interviewed by a local TV channel, stated that the cabin was filled with smoke, yet there were no immediate announcements from the crew. The emergency doors had to be forced open to evacuate the passengers.

An Indian journalist based in Dubai reported that some passengers sustained injuries, although they were not considered life-threatening.

Flights Diverted and Ongoing Disruptions

Following the accident, all flights departing from Dubai International Airport were postponed, while incoming flights were diverted to Sharjah International Airport and other nearby airports. Authorities are working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched an official investigation into the cause of the accident. Aviation safety experts and airline officials will be analyzing flight data and wreckage to determine what led to the emergency landing.

More information will be coming to nigerian-news.com as the situation develops