A Jet Airways flight with 161 people on board veered off the runway at Dabolim airport in Goa while aligning for take off to Mumbai early today, with 15 passengers suffering “minor” injuries during evacuation.
The incident took place at around 5 AM. Flight 9W 2374 which had arrived from Dubai and was bound for Mumbai, was about to take off when it skidded off the runway.
When the evacuation was on, the aircraft tilted forward, an eyewitness said, triggering panic among passengers.
Navy sources said 15 people suffered “minor injuries and fractures” in the process.
“Few guests have sustained minor injuries during the evacuation process and medical assistance is being coordinated by the Jet Airways team and the airport authorities,” the airlines said in a statement.
Besides 154 passengers, there were 7 crew members on board.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will investigate the Jet airways accident.
“We regret to inform flight 9W 2374 from GOI – BOM, with 154 guests and 7 crew, veered off the runway while aligning for takeoff. All guests and crew have been safely evacuated. Few guests have sustained injuries during the evacuation process,” said a Jet Airways statement.
The airline stated that medical assistance is being coordinated to those injured.
An Indian Navy spokesperson tweeted that the runway has been opened for operation.
