A Boeing 737 Catches Fire and Veers Off Runway at Senegal Airport
In a terrifying incident at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Senegal, a Boeing 737 carrying 85 individuals caught fire and veered off the runway. The Senegal Transport Minister reported that 10 individuals, including the pilot, were injured in the incident. Passengers were forced to evacuate from the burning aircraft.
The Air Sénégal flight was en route to Bamako, Mali, and was carrying 79 passengers, two pilots, and four cabin crew. The cause of the incident remains unclear, and the injured individuals received treatment at a nearby hospital.
Malian musician Cheick Siriman Sissoko captured the harrowing experience on his phone, describing how passengers had to leap down emergency slides amidst the flames. Passenger Ibrahim Diallo revealed that the plane had previously attempted to take off earlier that night.
Air Sénégal has announced the rescheduling of flights between Dakar and Bamako in the wake of the incident. This marked the third incident involving a Boeing aircraft this week, with Turkey also reporting an incident involving a plane where 190 individuals were safely evacuated after a tire burst during landing.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and veering off the runway, and safety measures are being reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future. The passengers and crew involved in the incident are grateful for their safety and are receiving support and medical treatment as needed.
