RIYADH – A Saudi Arabian Airlines Airbus A330 jet made an emergency landingin the western Red Sea city of Jeddah, injuring 53 people, aviationofficials said on Tuesday.
The Saudia aircraft was travelling from the Muslim holy city of Medina toDhaka with 151 people on board, but had to be diverted to Jeddah lateMonday after it suffered a malfunction in the hydraulic system, thekingdom”s Aviation Investigation Bureau said.
Footage posted online showed the plane leaving a trail of flame along therunway as it skidded on its nose before screeching to a halt.
“The passengers were evacuated by emergency slides.
52 of them were slightly injured, while one female passenger suffered afracture during the evacuation and is now receiving treatment,” AIB said ina statement.
“AIB has launched an investigation into this accident.
” The aircraft circled over Jeddah for several hours as its landing gearfailed to drop, forcing the captain to make the emergency landing, Saudimedia reported. – APP/AFP