A massive fire engulfed a Japan Airlines plane on a runway at Tokyo's Haneda airport. All 379 people on board were safely evacuated, according to Japan's local public broadcaster NHK. Media reports suspect that a collision with a Coast Guard aircraft caused the Japan Airlines plane to catch fire. Operations and investigations to detect the exact cause of the blaze are underway. Videos of the plane on fire are being circulated on social media.
The massive flames can be seen from afar, and close-up shots of the plane reveal flames coming out of the windows of the aircraft. An investigation has been launched to reveal the exact cause of the fire.
Fire Caused By Suspected Collision
According to NHK, the Japan Airlines plane collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft on Tuesday evening in Tokyo. The Coast Guard spokespersons told NHK that they are investigating whether there was a collision that caused the fire to break out.
A spokesperson from Japan Airlines told NHK the aircraft, JAL 516, had taken off from Shin-Chitose airport in Hokkaido and was carrying more than 300 passengers. The spokesperson assured NHK that all 397 passengers and crew had been evacuated from the plane.
NHK's live television coverage showed firefighters and airport crews working to put out the fire. According to their report, the runway was also set ablaze. As per a report by BBC, the plane caught fire while landing. However, it has not been confirmed what actually happened.
There have been no reports of any injuries or casualties so far, but authorities are investigating the matter. Notably, Haneda is one of the busiest airports in the world. This is the second news of tragedy coming from Japan this week, as massive earthquakes hit the country on New Year's Day.
Japan Earthquakes
According to reports, over 30 people lost their lives in the massive earthquakes that hit Japan on January 1. About 155 earthquakes of 7.5 to 7.6 magnitude jolted the country. Rescue operations are underway as the aftershocks and tsunami fear are still grappling the island nation. Close to 1400 survivors have been rescued so far.
According to reports, several more people are in the process of being rescued and sent to refugee camps. The death toll is also expected to rise, as rescue teams are working through collapsed buildings and gaping cracked streets to uncover all the casualties.
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