Fire scare triggers PIA plane evacuation

Passengers were evacuated from a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus aircraft at Jeddah airport on Thursday after ground staff suspected an engine fire shortly after the plane landed, prompting the crew to initiate an emergency evacuation. According to sources, the aircraft had landed normally at Jeddah International Airport and reached the jetty when ground staff raised an alarm after suspecting that one of its engines had caught fire. The pilot responded by initiating the emergency evacuation procedure in accordance with SOPs. They said some passengers left the aircraft through the jet bridge, while others were evacuated through emergency exits using the aircraft's evacuation slides. Jeddah Airport's fire and rescue authorities also rushed to the aircraft with fire brigade vehicles following the report, while PIA officials in Jeddah informed airport administration and security authorities about the situation. A PIA spokesperson said all passengers remained safe during the operation and there were no reports of any passenger being injured. Sources, however, said a few passengers sustained minor injuries during the emergency evacuation and were taken to the airport clinic for treatment.