Emergency Evacuation of Swiss International Air Lines Flight LX147 at Delhi Airport
Introduction
On Sunday, a Swiss International Air Lines flight to Zurich had to stop its takeoff at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport due to a technical problem, leading to the evacuation of everyone on board.
Main Body
The incident happened shortly after 01:00 local time on Runway 28. Flight LX147, an Airbus A330-300, was carrying 232 people, including 228 passengers and four infants. During takeoff, at a speed of about 106 knots, the crew noticed a problem with one of the engines and decided to stop the aircraft. There are different reports about the exact cause; while the airline mentioned an engine issue, other sources claimed there was smoke near the left landing gear and fire near the right one. Following the decision to stop, a full emergency was declared at 01:35, and fire services were immediately deployed. The crew ordered a precautionary evacuation using emergency slides, and stairs were provided for those who could not use the slides. As a result, several people suffered minor injuries. The airline confirmed that six passengers needed medical checks, although other reports stated there were only four injuries. After the evacuation, Swiss International Air Lines worked with local authorities to provide hotels and new travel plans for the passengers. The airline emphasized that technical experts will be sent to Delhi to inspect the aircraft and find the cause of the failure. Meanwhile, airport authorities asserted that safety protocols were followed correctly and that general airport operations continued without further disruption.
Conclusion
The situation is now stable. Passengers are receiving support, and the aircraft is waiting for a technical inspection by Swiss specialists to determine why the engine failed.