Ryanair plane’s wing explodes into fireball as passengers urgently evacuate down emergency slides

Nearly 200 passengers on a Ryanair flight had to use the emergency slide to evacuate a plane after it caught fire.

The flight was ready for take-off at Brindisi Airport in Italy when flames came from the engine.

Emergency services attended the scene which aborted its departure, and the 184 passengers were evacuated using the inflatable slide.

The airport in the south of the country has been forced to close due to the emergency.

A spokesperson told The Mirror: “Aeroporti di Puglia announces that due to a problem with a departing aircraft, it was necessary to close the Salento Airport in Brindisi.

“The problem, which occurred when the aircraft was already aligned at the head for take-off, required the evacuation of passengers via emergency slides.

“All operations were carried out with maximum safety for passengers and crew. The passengers are already at the airport where they are being assisted by Aeroporti di Puglia personnel.

“The company’s technicians are working on the interventions within their competence and necessary so that Aeroporti di Puglia can proceed with the subsequent checks on the usability of the runway and proceed with the reopening of the airport.”

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: “Flight FR8826 from Brindisi to Turin (3rd Oct) was delayed this morning after cabin crew observed fumes on the outside of the aircraft.

“Passengers were disembarked without incident and returned to the terminal by bus. We sincerely apologise to affected passengers for this delay, and a spare aircraft will operate Flight FR8826 from Brindisi to Turin later this morning.”

More to come…