SWISS Flight Evacuated in Delhi Following Engine Fire

A passenger flight operated by Swiss International Air Lines was forced to abort takeoff early Sunday at Indira Gandhi International Airport after a reported engine malfunction triggered an emergency evacuation, leaving several passengers injured.

The incident involved Flight LX147, bound for Zurich, which experienced a technical fault in one of its engines shortly after 1:00 a.m. local time during its takeoff roll. According to initial reports cited by media outlets, the engine may have caught fire as the aircraft accelerated on the runway, prompting the crew to immediately halt the departure.

Following standard safety protocols, the crew initiated an emergency evacuation of all passenger aboard the plane, which included 228 passengers, four infants, and 13 crew members. The aircraft, identified as an Airbus A330, was cleared rapidly using evacuation slides.

The airline confirmed that four passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation process, while a crew member suffered an ankle sprain. All injured individuals were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. The company had initially reported a higher number of injured passengers before revising the figure.

Airport authorities declared a state of emergency immediately after the incident, temporarily suspending runway operations. Normal activity was later restored once the situation was brought under control.

In a statement, Swiss International Air Lines said an investigation team has been formed to determine the exact cause of the malfunction and review the sequence of events.

The incident underscores the importance of strict safety procedures in aviation, particularly during critical phases such as takeoff, where rapid crew response and evacuation protocols play a decisive role in minimizing risks to passengers.