Swift response averts crisis as smoke seen on Saudia Hajj flight
The flight was part of the annual Hajj operations, which saw over one lakh Indian pilgrims travel to Mecca this year.Rex features
Lucknow: A Saudia Airlines flight carrying Hajj pilgrims from Jeddah sparked alarm at Lucknow airport on June 15 after smoke and sparks were seen coming from its wheels shortly after landing.
Airport officials confirmed that the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) team responded swiftly to the incident. Working alongside the airline’s team, they were able to contain the smoke and prevent damage to the aircraft.
No injuries reported
The passengers were safely deboarded, and no injuries were reported. Airport operations remained unaffected by the incident.
“On the morning of June 15, smoke was detected from the wheels of a Saudia Airlines aircraft that landed at Lucknow airport from Jeddah,” said an airport official. “The ARFF team rushed to the spot and, in coordination with the Saudia team, contained the smoke. Damage was averted and all passengers deboarded safely.”
Flight was returning with Hajj pilgrims
The flight was part of the annual Hajj operations, which saw over one lakh Indian pilgrims travel to Mecca this year. Hajj rituals were held in Saudi Arabia between June 4 and June 9. The first batch of Indian pilgrims had departed as early as May, with flights from cities like Lucknow and Hyderabad.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju recently confirmed that 1,22,518 pilgrims from India had participated in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
Source: gulfnews
