United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Japan, two people injured. Image: CNN.
(The Post News)- A United Airlines flight from Tokyo to Cebu in the Philippines was forced to make an emergency landing on Friday after an onboard alert signaled a possible fire in the cargo hold. United Flight 32, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 135 passengers and seven crew members, diverted to Kansai International Airport in Osaka about an hour after taking off from Tokyo’s Narita Airport.
United released a statement stating that “all passengers and crew safely evacuated the aircraft using the emergency slides. Two customers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and were transported to a local hospital.” The airline confirmed that maintenance crews carried out an initial inspection of the jet. “Upon initial inspection by maintenance, there is no indication a fire occurred,” United added.
According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, the jet was flying at 34,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean when it turned northwest and made its descent toward Osaka, landing safely about 30 minutes later. Videos and images from the airport showed passengers being bussed from the tarmac to the terminal following the evacuation.
Aviation safety experts note that in-flight fires are rare but considered among the most dangerous emergencies. Boeing warns crews to “anticipate diversion as soon as smoke, fumes, or fire are detected,” emphasizing immediate action.
United Airlines Re-Accommodates Passengers
Airbus has also highlighted the urgency of such situations, noting in a 2019 safety bulletin: “Without any intervention, a fire may become uncontrollable within 10 minutes, meaning that, if efficient actions are not taken early enough, the situation may escalate in a few minutes.”
United reported it was working to re-accommodate passengers and that it operates a hub in Tokyo connecting to destinations across Asia, including Guam, Taiwan, Saipan, Mongolia, and the Philippines. Flight 32 was originally a continuation of a service from Los Angeles.
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