Tokyo, January 2, 2024 : In a devastating incident at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday, a Japan Airlines passenger jet collided with a coast guard plane, resulting in five fatalities. Local authorities confirmed that all casualties were on board the coast guard aircraft. The Airbus A350, carrying 379 passengers and crew, caught fire and skidded down the runway after landing. Miraculously, all occupants of the commercial flight managed to escape before the Japan Airlines jet was engulfed in flames.
Yoshinori Yanagishima, spokesperson for the Japanese coast guard, reported that the pilot of the agency’s Bombardier Dash-8 plane successfully evacuated and contacted officials, but sustained severe injuries. Dramatic footage aired by Japanese state broadcaster NHK depicted the Japan Airlines jet ablaze moments after landing. Videos shared on social media captured passengers inside the aircraft preparing to evacuate as smoke filled the cabin.
Jonas Deibe, a Swedish passenger on the flight with his family, described the chaotic scene as smoke quickly filled the cabin. “We threw ourselves down on the floor,” he said. “Then the emergency doors were opened, and we threw ourselves at them.” Chaos ensued as passengers fled into a field, uncertain of their surroundings.
Japan Airlines confirmed that Flight 516 had departed from Sapporo’s Shin-Chitose airport in Hokkaido, while the coast guard plane, en route to Japan’s west coast for earthquake relief efforts following New Year’s Day tremors, was involved in the collision. The earthquakes have claimed at least 48 lives as of Tuesday.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has ordered prompt assessments of the damage, and updates on the incident are expected to be communicated to the public swiftly. Haneda Airport has temporarily closed all runways in the aftermath of the collision, according to a spokesperson.
