New Delhi, India: A Swiss International Air Lines long-haul flight bound for Zurich was forced to abort takeoff at high speed at Indira Gandhi International Airport early Sunday after an engine caught fire, triggering an emergency evacuation on the runway that left several passengers injured.
The aircraft, an operating flight LX147 from Delhi to Zurich, began its takeoff roll at approximately 1:08 AM when the crew detected a critical engine malfunction accompanied by flames. The aircraft had already accelerated to nearly 193 km/h when pilots initiated a rejected takeoff (RTO) , a high-risk, time-critical manoeuvre performed at high speed.
The crew brought the aircraft to a controlled stop on the runway and immediately ordered an evacuation. Passengers and crew exited using emergency slides as airport fire and rescue services rushed to the scene. Authorities declared a full emergency, the highest level of airport alert, while firefighting teams quickly contained the blaze.
Four passengers along with one crew member sustained injuries during the evacuation, largely attributed to slide descent and panic movement. Most injuries were reported as minor, including sprains and impact-related trauma. The injured were transported to medical facilities, including hospitals in Gurugram, for evaluation and treatment.
The airline had earlier said that six passengers had been injured but revised the number.
There were 228 passengers, four infants and 13 crew members on board the aircraft, which was an Airbus A330.
Several passengers described a sudden and forceful braking event followed by confusion during evacuation. Some cited issues such as delays in opening certain exits and crowding near evacuation points. A few passengers also criticised the ground response, alleging inadequate coordination and delays in post-evacuation assistance, including transport and accommodation.
“We are aware of an incident involving flight LX147 in Delhi. The crew aborted takeoff following an engine issue and initiated a precautionary evacuation. Passenger and crew safety is our top priority, and we are supporting those affected while working with authorities to investigate the matter”, SWISS said in a statement.
Preliminary information indicates the incident originated from an engine failure leading to fire, though authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause. Aviation and airline technical teams have begun a detailed investigation into the sequence of events, including engine performance, fire detection systems, and crew response.
SWISS confirmed that the takeoff was aborted as a precaution following an engine issue and stated that passenger safety remained the priority. The airline has initiated standard safety and technical inspections and is assisting affected passengers with rebooking and accommodation.
