Swiss Engine Fire in New Delhi Forces Emergency Evacuation, Six Injured

A Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A330-300 caught fire during takeoff at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport early Sunday morning, forcing an emergency evacuation that left 6 passengers injured. The incident has prompted a joint investigation by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Swiss authorities.

Flight LX147, scheduled to depart for Zurich, was in the takeoff phase when crew detected an engine fire on the left side. Witnesses reported a loud bang followed by visible flames and smoke. The captain aborted takeoff and triggered a full emergency evacuation of all occupants via inflatable slides.

What Happened

The Airbus A330-300 was carrying more than 200 passengers bound for Zurich when the flight crew noticed anomalies in the port engine during the takeoff roll. Initial reports describe a loud explosion with flames emanating from the engine area.

Within seconds, the pilots executed a rejected takeoff procedure—a critical maneuver involving maximum braking while the aircraft is still traveling at high speed on the runway. Once the plane came to a halt, the captain ordered immediate evacuation. Passengers deployed via emergency slides on both sides of the fuselage.

The New Delhi airport authority confirmed via social media that all safety protocols were followed and declared a full emergency, mobilizing fire and rescue units. The fire was contained quickly, and runway operations resumed without significant delays to other flights.

Casualties and Medical Response

Six passengers sustained minor injuries—mostly sprains, bruises, and friction burns—consistent with emergency slide evacuations. One flight attendant also suffered an injury. All were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Swiss International Air Lines emphasized that no life-threatening injuries occurred and that the airline's crisis response team had been dispatched to New Delhi to assist affected passengers.

Emergency slide evacuations, while life-saving, often result in minor injuries due to the rapid evacuation process required during emergencies.

Investigation Underway

As of now, neither the DGCA nor Swiss International has released a definitive cause for the engine failure. Investigators are expected to examine engine components, review maintenance logs, and assess whether mechanical defects or other factors played a role.

The aircraft involved in the incident will remain in New Delhi pending a full technical inspection. Swiss has launched an internal task force to coordinate with regulators and determine whether similar aircraft in its fleet require precautionary checks.

What Happens Next

The DGCA and Swiss are expected to release preliminary findings within days, though a full accident report could take months. Passengers affected by the incident will likely receive compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, which covers delays and cancellations originating from EU-based carriers, as well as assistance with rebooking and accommodations.

For now, the damaged aircraft sits idle in New Delhi, a reminder that aviation safety depends on the seamless coordination of human training, mechanical reliability, and rapid emergency response. Passengers should remain informed and review their travel insurance when booking international routes.