A shocking incident occurred at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport yesterday, as an Air India jet engine reportedly ingested a cargo container during the boarding process, causing significant damage to the aircraft.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident unfolded just as passengers were preparing to board the Air India flight bound for Milan. As the aircraft’s engines were running, a stray cargo container somehow made its way onto the tarmac and was abruptly pulled into one of the engines with tremendous force.
“It happened so fast, one minute the engine was running normally, the next there was this loud bang and the container just disappeared into the engine,” said Rajesh Sharma, a passenger who was waiting to board the flight. “It was absolutely terrifying, we all just froze in shock.”
Fortunately, no one on the ground or aboard the aircraft was injured in the incident. However, the damage to the engine was substantial, and the plane has been grounded indefinitely for repairs.
In a statement, Air India confirmed that the flight had been cancelled and said the airline was cooperating fully with authorities to investigate the cause of the incident.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority,” the statement read. “We are relieved that there were no injuries, but we are taking this matter extremely seriously and will conduct a thorough review to determine how this could have happened and to ensure it does not occur again.”
Aviation experts have expressed concern over the potential implications of the incident, highlighting the need for robust safety protocols and vigilance around aircraft operations.
“This is a highly unusual and concerning event,” said aviation analyst Priya Mathur. “Loose cargo or debris on the tarmac can pose a serious threat to aircraft, and it’s crucial that airports and airlines have stringent measures in place to prevent such incidents from happening.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities have pledged to take appropriate action to address any lapses in safety or security procedures that may have contributed to the incident.
