100-Odd Passengers Escape As Water Tanker Rams Plane At Kolkata Airport

An estimated 100-odd passengers on a Qatar Airways flight to Doha had a ‘brush with death’ as their plane was hit by a water tanker minutes before takeoff on Thursday (November 1), at the international airport in Kolkata, reports Hindustan Times.

The accident occurred when the passengers were boarding the plane at 2:20 am at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

“The passengers were safely evacuated. We have informed the Director-General of Civil Aviation about the incident,” airport director Atul Dixit said.

The officials concerned later confirmed that the civil aviation regulator had started a probe into the incident.

The aircraft, which was supposed to carry the 103 passengers, did not take off. It has been reported that the aircraft’s belly was damaged in the accident and that the plane had to be taken away for repairs.

“The movement of vehicles in the airport takes place through pre-determined routes and speed. One has to find out how the driver lost control of the vehicle,” said an officer who wished to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, the passengers were accommodated at a hotel in the city.