Emirates flight crash lands at Dubai airport

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/plane-crashlands-in-dubai-300-escape/article8938954.ece?homepage=true

Three hundred people, mostly Indians, had a miraculous escape on Wednesday, when an Emirates flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai crash-landed and exploded on the runway here, shutting down one of the world’s busiest airports.

Emirates confirmed that the flight EK521, with 282 passengers and 18 crew members on board, was involved in an accident at the Dubai International Airport. The airline said there were 226 Indians aboard the Boeing 777-300. “We can confirm that there are no fatalities among our passengers and crew. All passengers and crew are safe,” the airline said in statement.

However, a firefighter died while saving the lives of others, said the General Civil Aviation Authority. Around 10 passengers were treated for smoke inhalation and burns at hospital. Only one person was admitted for long-term treatment, the local media said.

The flight departed at 10.19 a.m. from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Among the 282 passengers were seven infants, Thiruvananthapuram Airport Director George Tharakkan said. The flight had two Indian crew members, he said.

There were 74 foreigners on board, including 24 from the U.K., 11 from the UAE and six each from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. There was no official word on the cause, but reports said the landing gear collapsed and the plane slid and exploded