Panic at Bengaluru Airport after smoke detected in Air India aircraft, no injuries reported
Bengaluru Airport on Friday night when thick smoke was observed emanating from the tail area of an Air India aircraft. Swift action by airport firefighters ensured the situation was brought under control, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The aircraft was subsequently grounded and moved to an isolated location for a thorough inspection.
The incident unfolded at approximately 8:40 pm when an Airbus A320 operated by Air India was in the process of connecting to an aerobridge at Gate 10 of Terminal 2.
According to a report in the Times of India, trouble arose when smoke was suddenly detected coming from the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) located beneath the tail of the aircraft. Within moments, more smoke began to emerge from the unit, prompting the activation of the airport's Fire Department.
Three fire tenders swiftly responded to the scene, encircling the aircraft as ground staff were directed to relocate to a safer area.
One of the fire tenders deployed high-pressure water jets to extinguish the smoke emanating from the APU. Fortunately, no passengers were on board the aircraft when the incident occurred.
To ensure passenger safety, a Vistara Airlines plane at Gate 11 of Terminal 2, which was preparing for departure to Mumbai, was relocated as a precautionary measure amid concerns of a potential fire situation.
The Vistara flight to Mumbai, after a minor delay, eventually took off without incident.
The swift and coordinated response by airport authorities and firefighters played a crucial role in resolving the situation promptly and without harm to anyone involved. Further investigations will determine the cause of the smoke, allowing for necessary maintenance and safety precautions.
Last month, an Air India
