New Delhi: Passengers onboard a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul experienced a frightening few moments on Monday morning after the aircraft caught fire while landing at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal.
The flight, TK 726, was carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members when smoke and flames were seen coming from the aircraft’s wheel area shortly after touchdown. According to early reports, a tire may have burst during landing, triggering the fire near the landing gear.
Videos from the airport, which quickly spread across social media, showed thick grey smoke rising from one side of the aircraft as emergency vehicles rushed toward the runway. In some clips, flames were clearly visible near the wheels as firefighters worked to bring the situation under control.
Passengers were evacuated using emergency slides within minutes. Visuals from the scene showed people stepping away from the aircraft carrying small bags and personal belongings, while airport staff guided them toward safer areas. Despite the panic and confusion, authorities confirmed that everyone onboard escaped safely.
“The Turkish Airlines TK 726 was en route to Kathmandu from Istanbul, and the tire had caught fire while landing. Using the fire engine, it has been contained. All the passengers are safely evacuated,”
Airport Security SP Rajkumar Silawal told ANI.
For passengers inside the aircraft, the landing reportedly turned tense very quickly. Eyewitnesses at the airport said smoke became visible almost immediately after touchdown, prompting emergency crews to respond within moments. The quick action by firefighters and airport officials helped prevent the situation from becoming more serious.
No injuries have been reported so far, which came as a huge relief considering the visuals emerging from the runway. Still, the incident left many passengers visibly shaken.
Authorities have now launched an investigation to determine exactly what caused the tire to burst. Initial assessments suggest the tire may have exploded due to pressure or friction during landing, which eventually led to the fire. Officials, however, have yet to confirm the exact technical reason.
The aircraft is expected to undergo detailed inspections, including checks of the landing gear, braking systems, and tires. Aviation authorities will also review runway conditions and maintenance records as part of the investigation.
The incident once again highlighted how quickly routine landings can turn into emergencies and why rapid airport response systems are so important. Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal’s busiest airport, has often faced operational challenges due to weather conditions and heavy air traffic, making emergency preparedness especially critical.
Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with reactions after videos of the incident went viral. Many users praised the airport’s emergency teams for acting quickly and ensuring passenger safety.
For the people onboard, though, it was likely a journey they will not forget anytime soon. What began as a normal arrival in Kathmandu suddenly turned into a nerve-wracking evacuation on the runway, but fortunately, one that ended without any loss of life or injuries.
