Plane skids off runway in Senegal, injuring 11

Thursday, 9 May 2024 15:57

By Reuters

A plane with 78 passengers skidded off a runway before take-off at Senegal's main airport on Thursday, injuring 11 people and bringing the facility to a halt.

The Blaise Diagne airport said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the accident, which occurred at around 0100 GMT as the Transair-owned Boeing 737-300 chartered by Air Senegal was preparing to fly to Mali.

A night-time video shared on social media showed a plane with the logo of Senegal-based airline Transair standing in grass with a wing covered in fire-suppressing foam.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the video.

The airport statement said it activated emergency protocols to evacuate passengers.

"For now, the airport is closed...The reopening of the airport is expected within the next few hours," it added.

More from International News

Iranian President Raisi killed in helicopter accident, state media says

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said on Monday.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israeli, Hamas leaders

The International Criminal Court prosecutor's office said on Monday it had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.
Assange given permission to appeal against US extradition

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was given permission to have a full appeal over his extradition to the United States after arguing at London's High Court on Monday he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech at a trial.
Israel intends to broaden Rafah sweep, Defence Minister tells US

Israel intends to broaden its military operation in Rafah, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday told a senior aide to US President Joe Biden, who has warned against major action in the southern Gazan city that may risk mass civilian casualties. Israel describes Rafah, which abuts the Gaza Strip's border with the Egyptian Sinai, as the last stronghold of Hamas Islamists whose governing and combat capabilities it has been trying to dismantle during the more than seven-month-old war. After weeks of public disagreements with Washington over the Rafah planning, Israel on May 6 ordered Pale
New Taiwanese president calls on China to stop threats

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te asked China on Monday to stop its military and political threats, saying in his inauguration speech that peace is the only choice and that Beijing had to respect the choice of the Taiwanese people.

On Virgin Radio today

Ride Home With Brent Black
2:00pm - 6:00pm

Brent Black has the biggest stories of the day and the stuff you might have missed.
The Kris Fade Show's Hour of Power
6:00pm - 7:00pm

An extra hour of the UAE's biggest radio show for your drive home.

Trending on Virgin Radio

Pick the Hits
We have money can't buy passes to premiere of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die and see Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in person at the event! Just Pick The Hits!
Untold Dubai
It arrived: The UAE's First Mega Music Festival at Expo City Dubai!
Ed Sheeran - UAE EXCLUSIVE
Latest album, what happened with BTS, raising a baby girl, eye surgery, and more!
Mais Vault on the Kris Fade Show!
The boys tried their 'pick up' lines on Mais Vault and things did not go according to plan...