Japan has not had a good start to 2024. The city was recently hit by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. After the disaster, which was overcome with few injuries and low financial damage, another disaster occurred today in the capital Tokyo.
In Tokyo, two airplanes collided head-on on the airport runway: 5 dead
Disaster struck at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport when a Japanese coast guard plane collided on the runway with a Japan Airlines passenger plane, resulting in the deaths of five crew members on board the coast guard plane.
The incident occurred today and Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed that all 379 passengers on board Japan Airlines Flight 516 managed to evacuate safely before the plane burst into flames.
The pilot of the coast guard plane survived but was injured. In contrast, five crew members were killed in the crash. The Tokyo Fire Department reported at least 17 injured among those evacuated from the passenger plane.
Eyewitness accounts revealed the terrifying moments during and after the crash. A passenger on board the Japan Airlines flight described feeling a sudden impact during landing, followed by sparks, gas and smoke filling the cabin.
In the horror footage broadcast on local television, a huge eruption of fire and smoke was recorded from the Japan Airlines plane, and later footage showed the plane completely on fire.
The Japan Airlines plane that collided was an Airbus A350 from Shin Chitose airport and was attempting a routine landing when it collided on the runway with a Bombardier Dash-8 maritime patrol aircraft belonging to the coast guard. No engine or other problems were reported before landing, according to initial reports.
Coast Guard spokesman Yoshinori Yanagishima confirmed the collision, saying the coast guard’s Bombardier Dash-8, flight MA 722, was en route to Niigata to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in the region.
Tokyo Haneda Airport, one of Japan’s busiest, was temporarily closed as aviation safety inspectors and police launched an investigation into the collision.
Authorities said they were determined to reopen the airport as soon as possible. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized efforts to ensure that the crash did not disrupt the distribution of earthquake relief supplies.
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