News Desk
Last Updated: 27 April 2026, 02:49 PM IST
A passenger onboard a Delhi-Zurich flight that aborted take-off due to an engine fire has described a sharp contrast between the orderly evacuation inside the aircraft and alleged confusion and delays on the ground at Delhi airport.
Scenes from the Delhi-Zurich flight emergency at Indira Gandhi International Airport | Screengrab from video
A major aviation scare unfolded at Indira Gandhi International Airport when a Swiss International Air Lines flight bound for Zurich aborted take-off following an engine issue, prompting an emergency evacuation of all passengers.
The incident occurred on flight LX147 shortly after 1 am on April 26, when the Airbus A330 accelerated for take-off before abruptly stopping due to an engine malfunction. Authorities declared a full emergency, and passengers were evacuated using emergency slides.
A passenger onboard described the moment, saying the aircraft “stopped violently,” with luggage shifting due to sudden braking. Cabin crew instructed passengers to remain seated initially before issuing an emergency evacuation command.
Door issue and onboard chaos claims
While evacuation began quickly through one exit, the passenger alleged that another door failed to open. As passengers rushed to exit, some safety protocols were reportedly breached amid panic, especially in the economy section.
Officials confirmed that four passengers were hospitalised and one crew member sustained minor injuries during the evacuation.
Despite the situation, the passenger praised the airline crew for handling the emergency calmly. He said the crew helped manage panic, assisted passengers, and distributed water while ensuring an orderly evacuation under pressure.
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Allegations of poor ground response
However, the passenger raised serious concerns about the response after evacuation. He claimed there were delays in medical assistance, lack of coordination, and no clear leadership once passengers were on the runway.
According to the account, passengers waited 10–15 minutes for medical help and nearly 40 minutes before being moved, with limited communication from airport authorities.
The situation reportedly worsened inside the terminal, where passengers faced disorganised procedures. The passenger alleged there were insufficient forms, minimal communication tools, and no structured headcount system, leading to hours of confusion.
He also claimed that staff appeared unprepared, with multiple teams attempting to assist but lacking coordination or emergency drills.
Delays in assistance and accommodation
Passengers reportedly received limited refreshments and had to wait several hours to collect baggage. Accommodation arrangements were also criticised, with travellers being transported to a hotel far from the airport and assigned rooms without proper coordination.
Swiss International Air Lines confirmed that the evacuation was carried out as a precaution following the engine issue. The flight had 228 passengers, four infants, and 13 crew members onboard.
The airline has set up a task force to investigate the incident, while authorities are examining the cause of the engine failure. The flight later resumed operations and reached Zurich safely the next day.
Published: 27 Apr 2026, 02:49 pm IST
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