• Source:JND
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LATAM Airbus A320 fire: In a dramatic incident that triggered panic among travellers, a LATAM Airlines Airbus A320 carrying 180 passengers was evacuated at São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) on Friday after smoke filled the cabin and flames were spotted beneath one of the wings while the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff.

Smoke Fills Cabin, Passengers Rush To Evacuate

According to airport officials, passengers preparing for departure to Porto Alegre were startled when thick smoke suddenly spread through the cabin. Several travellers reported seeing flames under the wing through the windows, prompting immediate alarm.

While initial reports suggested a major onboard malfunction, LATAM Airlines later clarified that the aircraft itself did not catch fire. Instead, the blaze originated from a baggage conveyor belt operated by a third-party ground-handling company.

“There was a small fire in ground equipment belonging to a third-party company responsible for loading cargo for the flight. The smoke generated from the equipment triggered safety protocols,” a LATAM spokesperson said. The airline added that all personnel and passengers evacuated safely with the help of trained emergency teams.

Fire and rescue units quickly brought the situation under control and removed the burned equipment from the tarmac. Operations at the terminal were briefly halted as smoke triggered alarms inside parts of the airport.

The incident caused disruptions inside the airport as well, with smoke drifting into nearby terminal areas. Viral videos showed passengers rushing toward emergency exits as security teams directed crowds to safety. Boarding for flight LA3418 was immediately suspended. Airport authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported among the 180 passengers and crew members on board. All were transported back to the terminal for further assistance and rebooking.

Second Similar Incident Reported

Brazil witnessed another similar scare the same day when a separate LATAM Airbus A320 caught fire just moments before takeoff at a different airport. Passengers on that flight also reported sudden smoke inside the cabin. 

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This year has seen multiple evacuation-related incidents involving commercial jets in Brazil. Earlier, more than 150 passengers fled a smoke-filled aircraft after a suspected landing gear issue triggered a small fire. Another case involving a Boeing 737 MAX 8 forced passengers to escape via slides after a maintenance-related problem caused smoke emission.

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Authorities are investigating the cause of the ground-equipment fire at GRU. LATAM said it is cooperating fully with airport officials and the third-party cargo operator to ensure such incidents do not recur.

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