Lahore: Over 120 people on board a private Pakistani airline on Tuesday had a narrow escape when the aircraft skidded off the runway of the airport here after its tyres burst during landing, injuring 10 passengers.
Shaheen Airlines flight NL-142 left for Lahore from Karachi this morning with 121 people including seven crew members onboard, Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Pervez George said.
He said the pilot of the aircraft made an emergency landing at Allama Iqbal International Airport after it developed a fault in its landing gears.
While making an emergency landing the plane skidded off the runway after its tyres burst. Ambulances and rescue teams immediately rushed to the spot and offloaded the panicked passengers through the emergency gate of the plane.
"All passengers have been rescued safely," George said. The fuselage of the aircraft was damaged after the plane skidded off the runway.
The pilot of the aircraft had given prior intimation to airport authorities regarding the fault in the landing gear before making the emergency landing.
Aviation authorities and the fire brigade reached the spot in a timely manner.
George said the runway has been closed for other flights, however, it was a secondary runway.
"The flight operation on the main runway has not been hampered," he added.
An official at the airport said at least 10 passengers suffered minor head injuries.
"The injured were provided medical aid by the ambulances staff," he said.
He said the flight operation of local and foreign airlines has been affected due to this incident.
"PIA's flights for London, Paris and Milan and Islamabad have been delayed," he said, adding the CAA has closed the runway and engaged teams to remove the plane.
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