The collision occurred around 17:47 local time (11:47 Moscow time). reports Kyodo cited the Ministry of Transport. A Japanese Coast Guard Bombardier DHC8-300 was traveling along the runway. The plane was preparing to fly to deliver humanitarian aid to areas affected by the earthquake.
While taxiing, he was hit by an Airbus A350 coming from Sapporo. After the collision, a fire broke out in both planes.
“I felt a bump as if the plane hit something while landing. “I saw sparks outside the window, it was full of gas and smoke,” he said. nail One of the passengers on the Kyodo agency plane.
Five of the six Coast Guard personnel aboard Bombardier were killed. The youngest was 27 and the oldest was 56. NHK. Only the pilot managed to escape from the burning plane. It was learned that the pilot, who was in serious condition, was in the hospital.
The Airbus A350 carried 379 crew passengers, including eight children. Most managed to escape the burning plane using emergency inflatable slides. At least 17 people were injured in the accident, according to the Tokyo Fire Department.
While more than a hundred fire trucks were brought to eliminate the negative consequences of the emergency, a medical team was also sent to the scene.
Investigation ongoing
Japan’s Ministry of Transport said the cause of the accident was still unknown. It is being investigated whether the airport’s air traffic control caused the collision.
“(The accident) forced Haneda Airport to close all four of its runways, disrupting air traffic during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year when many people return to their hometowns to see their families for the New Year holiday,” Kyodo said. .
Three of the four runways, other than the one where the collision occurred, were open at around 21:30 (15:30 GMT).
18 flights that were supposed to arrive at Haneda Airport were diverted to another airport in Narita, the capital of Japan.
“Valuable lives of employees”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed relevant ministers to make every effort to immediately investigate the crash and promised to inform the public about the crash soon.
“It is extremely unfortunate that the precious lives of our employees have been disrupted. We extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims,” Japanese Coast Guard Deputy Commander Yoshio Seguchi said at a press conference. Kyodo).