Kathmandu: A Turkish Airlines aircraft experienced a tire fire while landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday morning, triggering an emergency evacuation of passengers and crew.
According to airport and security officials, the incident occurred when Turkish Airlines flight TK726 arrived in Kathmandu from Istanbul. Fire and smoke were seen coming from the aircraft’s right landing gear shortly after touchdown. Emergency response teams immediately rushed to the runway and managed to contain the fire using airport fire engines.
Passengers Evacuated Safely
All passengers and crew members were evacuated safely through emergency exits. Reports said the aircraft was carrying around 277 to 278 passengers along with 11 crew members. No major injuries were officially reported, though some local reports mentioned minor injuries during evacuation procedures.
Airport Operations Temporarily Affected
The incident temporarily disrupted operations at Kathmandu’s main international airport, which remained shut for around 90 minutes before flight services resumed. Authorities said the aircraft was later moved to a taxiway for inspection.
Investigation Underway
Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been caused by a tire or landing gear malfunction during landing. Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Videos circulating on social media showed smoke emerging from the landing gear area as firefighters worked to bring the situation under control. The quick response by airport emergency crews prevented the fire from spreading further.