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PeruAn airliner on takeoff hits a truck and catches fire, two dead
A Latam Airlines plane violently hit a fire engine as it crossed a runway at Lima airport on its way to an intervention. Two firefighters died.
A Latam Airlines plane.
AFP
An airliner taking off hit a fire truck Friday at Lima International Airport, causing the aircraft to catch fire and the evacuation of passengers, and killing two firefighters, several official sources said.
Lima Airport Partners (LAP), the airport operator Jorge Chavez “deeply regrets the loss of life of two members of the LAP Aeronautical Fire Brigade in the accident that occurred between a fire engine and the aircraft operating flight LA2213 from Lima to Juliaca”. The airline LATAM which operated this domestic flight “confirms that no passenger or crew member lost their lives”, without however indicating how many people were on board.
The Ministry of Transport has also confirmed “an accident on the runway of Jorge Chavez airport”. LAP added that its “teams are providing the necessary care to all passengers, who are doing well.” “We are also investigating to determine the causes of the incident,” he added. Lima firefighters said the alert was sounded at 3:25 p.m. local time (2025 GMT) and four ambulances and rescue units were deployed.
Airport closed until further notice
According to the images broadcast by the country’s television channels taken by witnesses to the accident, we see the plane (an Airbus A320 according to the aircraft tracing websites) at full speed for takeoff hitting a truck traveling at high speed pace and cutting him off. The landing gear damaged, the plane continued its course, rubbing the runway with the right wing, raising sprays of fire. Once its course stopped, a dense smoke emerged from the device which caught fire.
Airport operations have been suspended “until further notice,” the manager said. Last month, a LATAM plane with 48 passengers on board made an emergency landing in Asuncion following flying through a severe storm in the air.
(AFP)
