Disaster averted as fire on plane put out at Mumbai airport

Disaster averted as fire on plane put out at Mumbai airport New Delhi  - More than 200 passengers and crew of an Air India flight had a narrow escape at the Mumbai airport Friday when they were evacuated after an engine of their plane caught fire, a news report said.

The ground staff at the airport noticed the fire and smoke from the engine as the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff, the IANS news agency reported.

The passengers and crew were evacuated through emergency exit chutes of the Boeing 747, which was brought to a halt on the taxiway.

No one was hurt in the incident because the blaze was put out immediately, Air India spokesman Jitendra Bhargav told the news agency.

The Air India flight was bound for the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. The passengers are to leave for Riyadh on another plane later Friday.

Air India authorities were investigating the cause of the fire, officials said. (dpa)