A plane taking off collided with a fire truck on Friday at the Lima International Airport, causing the aircraft to burn and passengers to evacuate, as well as the deaths of two firefighters, several official sources said.
Lima Airport Partners (LAP), operator of the Jorge Chávez Airport, “deeply regrets the loss of life of two members of the LAP Aeronautical Fire Department in the accident between a fire truck and the plane that operated flight LA2213 from Lima to Juliaca”, near the border with Bolivia.
Lifeguard ‘in critical condition’
In addition to the two deceased firefighters, a rescuer who was in the firefighter’s vehicle was injured and is “in critical condition due to head trauma,” according to the security officer, Aurelio Orellana.
Operations at the country’s main air terminal were suspended until 1:00 p.m. local time (7:00 p.m. French time) this Saturday, Lima Airport Partners reported.
The LATAM airline, which provided this domestic flight, “confirms that no passenger or crew lost their lives.” The plane was carrying 102 passengers and six crew members.
Astonishment at the presence of firefighters on the track
The general manager of LATAM Peru, Manuel van Oordt, expressed his astonishment at the presence of the firefighters on the takeoff runway, specifying that the pilot of the plane did not report any anomalies.
“No emergencies were reported on the flight, it was a flight that was in optimal conditions to take off, it had clearance to take off, and a van was found on the runway and we don’t know what that van was doing there,” he said at a press conference. in the airport.
“After the report of the death of two aeronautical firefighters and an injured person, the Prosecutor’s Office seeks to clarify the facts before proceeding to their eventual prosecution for the crimes of homicide and personal injury,” said this agency.
LAP clarified that its “teams provide the necessary care to all passengers, who are well.” “We are also investigating to determine the causes of the incident,” he added.
The plane on fire on the runway
Pictures taken by witnesses to the crash and broadcast by television stations show the plane, an Airbus A320, according to aircraft tracking websites, speeding for takeoff hitting a speeding truck and isolating it.
With the landing gear damaged, the plane continued on its course, skimming the runway with its right wing, raising bursts of fire. Once its course was stopped, a dense smoke came out of the device that caught fire.
Many flights have been canceled while others have been diverted to the Pisco airport, located 250 kilometers south of the Peruvian capital. International connections, especially with North America, are also interrupted as Lima is a hub in the region.
Source: BFM TV
