In a harrowing incident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, a Japan Airlines plane collided with a Coast Guard aircraft, leading to an eruption of flames and a high-stakes emergency evacuation.
Evacuation of Passengers and Crew: Remarkably, all 367 passengers along with the 12 crew members onboard the Japan Airlines flight were successfully evacuated. The prompt response and evacuation procedures played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of everyone on the aircraft.
The Japan Airlines plane caught fire following what is believed to be a collision with a Coast Guard aircraft. This incident occurred on a typically bustling Tuesday at Haneda Airport, one of Tokyo’s primary aviation hubs.
According to a report from Reuters, the Captain of the Coast Guard aircraft managed to escape. However, there were initial concerns as five other crew members were unaccounted for immediately following the incident.
In a subsequent update, SKY News, citing Kyodo news agency and the Tokyo fire department, reported that the remaining crew members on board the Coast Guard flight were found. Their condition at the time of discovery was not immediately known, adding a layer of uncertainty to this already tense situation.
Broader Context: Earthquake and its Aftermath:
- Impact of Earthquake: Japan recently experienced multiple earthquakes, with the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture enduring the most severe impact тАУ a 7.6 magnitude quake. This led to significant disruptions, including five-foot tsunami waves.
- Suspension of Services: In the quake’s aftermath, bullet train services were halted, and essential services like communication and power supplies were disrupted in the affected areas. The Coast Guard aircraft involved in the collision was en route to Niigata Airport base to deliver aid to the quake-hit Noto Peninsula region, highlighting the broader emergency context within which this incident occurred.
Reporting by BNO News:
BNO News was among the first to report on the collision, highlighting the scale of the incident with 367 people involved on the Japan Airlines plane.
