On Tuesday, the Japan Airlines aircraft collided with the Japan Coast Guard plane landing in Tokyo. The passenger jet burst into fire and killed Coast Guard personnel on the other flight bound for earthquake relief.
NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, reported that the airline had confirmed to NHK that all 367 passengers on board and 12 crew members were evacuated safely at Haneda Airport. Fumio Kishhida, the Prime Minister of Japan, said that five crew members were killed on the Coast Guard aircraft.
Mr. Kishida stated that the Coast Guard was en route to deliver relief supplies to the area affected by Monday’s powerful earthquake in western Japan.
The prime minister stated that “they were full of a strong sense of mission and what happened to them is very regrettable and distressing.” “I extend my deepest condolences for their families who are still alive.”
Noriyuki aoki, Senior Vice President of Japan Airlines, said that four of the airline’s passengers had been taken to hospital but the airline did not receive any other reports of injuries.
Tadayuki Tsutsumi, Senior Vice President for Corporate Safety and Security at Japan Airlines, told reporters that the airline is participating in the investigation into the cause of the fatal crash.
He said that while the investigation was ongoing, preliminary reports indicate the pilots did not see any aircraft on runway prior to landing. He said that the Japan Airlines flight “entered and landed on the runway normally and there was no impact.” However, he added, they are still looking into the details.
The plane came to a halt after the fire broke out. People were using emergency slides to escape the flames as firefighters battled the growing fire. Over 100 fire trucks responded to the accident
The coastguard plane was on its way to Niigata Airport from Haneda in order to assist with the rescue and aid mission after Monday’s earthquake that struck Ishikawa. This was one of four planes that were on a mission.
As smoke and flames billowed out of the plane, TV footage showed that multiple fire trucks were at the scene.
One woman shared a photo of a large crowd watching the unfolding scene.
I was on the plane. I’m safe. “Thank goodness,” She wrote in X, formerly known by the name Twitter.
Haneda Airport closed all of its runways following the incident. Reuters quoted a spokesperson from the airport.
