15 passengers injured in emergency evacuation of Jet flight

MUMBAI - At least 15 passengers were injured during an emergency evacuation of a Jet Airways flight on which there was a fire alarm Friday night, officials said.

The Jet Airways Mumbai-Chennai flight 9W-2302 was scheduled for departure around 9 p.m. when there was a fire indicator from one of its engines,

The flight commander aborted plans and declared a precautionary emergency following the fire alarm from the left engine of the aircraft.

The incident occurred when the flight was on the taxiway prior to take-off, and emergency evacuation of the 130 passengers on board was effected, said the official.

During the emergency evacuation exercise using chutes for sliding down, at least 13 passengers sustained minor injuries, while two sustained fractures, airport officials said.

While one passenger who sustained a fracture has been admitted to a private hospital, the second was rushed to Nanavati Hospital, Vile Parle.

The passengers were treated by doctors at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

An airline spokesperson confirmed that the injuries to passengers was during the emergency evacuation procedure, but none were of a serious nature.

A thorough check later revealed that there were no visible traces of any fire in the engine.

The airline did not say when the flight would be rescheduled for departure to Chennai.