A Tokyo runway collision between a passenger jet and a coast guard aircraft preparing to aid quake victims caused a tragic fire, claiming the lives of five crew members

Tragic Collision at Haneda Airport

A tragic incident unfolded at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport when a Japan Airlines passenger jet collided with a smaller coastguard aircraft, resulting in a devastating blaze.

Shocking visuals captured the Japan Airlines Airbus A-350 engulfed in flames on the runway, with passengers scrambling to escape as the aircraft split apart due to the intense fire.

Fatalities and Evacuation

The collision led to the loss of five lives aboard the coastguard plane, while miraculously, all 379 passengers and crew from the Japan Airlines flight were safely evacuated.

The coastguard aircraft, slated to aid in rescue efforts following a recent earthquake, faced a catastrophic fate, compounding the tragedy.

Uncertainty and Aftermath

Initial reports regarding the collision were unclear, with authorities at Haneda Airport working to confirm the sequence of events.

Conflicting statements arose about the collision either occurring on the runway or taxiway upon the Japan Airlines flight’s touchdown.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism initiated an investigation into the incident.

Chaotic Scenes and Ongoing Response

The aftermath witnessed chaotic scenes as rescue operations battled the inferno, deploying over 70 fire engines to quell the flames.

Inside the Japan Airlines aircraft, passengers grappled with thick smoke, recounting the harrowing moments of the incident.

The closure of all runways at Haneda Airport caused significant disruptions to air travel, diverting numerous flights.

Parallel Disaster: Earthquake Devastation

The aviation tragedy unfolded against the backdrop of a recent 7.6 magnitude earthquake that ravaged Japan’s west coast.

The earthquake, which caused extensive damage and loss of life, compounded the nation’s distress.

The earthquake’s aftermath led to panic buying and disrupted rescue efforts due to severe damage to roads in the Ishikawa prefecture, the epicenter of the quake.

Race Against Time in Rescue Operations

As the search for survivors continued amid the rubble, concerns mounted about the limited time to locate and rescue individuals trapped in the aftermath of the earthquake.

With roads severely impacted, rescue efforts faced significant obstacles, intensifying fears about the plight of those buried under collapsed structures.