HK passenger recalls 'terrifying' crash and fire escape at Tokyo's Haneda airport

02-01-2024 21:07 HKT

A Hong Kong tourist recalled the horror moment after the Japan Airlines plane he was on burst into flames upon landing at Haneda airport in Tokyo on Tuesday.

The passenger, surnamed Chan, said he heard a big bang just before the plane landed, and the landing gear was on fire. He said the light of the cabin went off suddenly.

Chan stated that he initially thought it was another earthquake that hit Japan until he saw an orange glow of flames outside the plane.

He added that the thick smoke started to fill up the cabin and the crew members asked them to leave the aircraft through the emergency exits.

Passengers were seen running for their lives after the plane erupted in flames, Chan said. He got on a couch with his family and was later carried to the airport's transit lounge.

The Immigration Department of Hong Kong said they have received ten citizens on board requests for assistance as of 8 pm.

Anton Deibe, a 17-year-old passenger who was traveling on the Japan Airlines plane with his parents and sister, also described chaotic scenes.

"The entire cabin was filled with smoke within a few minutes," he recalled. "The smoke in the cabin stung like hell."

"We threw ourselves down on the floor. Then the emergency doors were opened and we threw ourselves at them."

Broadcaster NHK, citing the Tokyo Fire Department, said at least 17 of the people evacuated from the passenger plane were injured.

(Staff reporter and AP)