Plane with 193 people makes emergency landing in Ireland

Paris: An Aeromexico flight bound for Paris with 193 people on board on Monday made an emergency landing at Ireland's Shannon Airport, due to a fire in the cargo hold.

Passing near the Irish coast, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was diverted to Shannon after a fire was detected in the cargo hold. The plane was flying from Mexico City to Paris, but declared an emergency at about 2.30 pm local time.

Emergency vehicles were waiting to assist on the tarmac. There were 193 passengers and crew on board, a spokesman for the airport said. "All 193 souls disembarked and the plane is currently being assessed," he was quoted as saying by Irish Examiner.

Shannon Airport's full emergency response plan was activated with fire crews and ambulances on the runway as the plane landed. The plane was brought to a remote area before fire crews opened the hold area where the fire is thought to have broken out.

The flight departed Mexico City last night at 11.35pm local time, and was due to arrive in Paris at 5.35 pm. Fire crews are inspecting the plane. Shannon Airport is one of Ireland's three primary airports, along with Dublin and Cork.