Emergency Evacuation at Sao Paulo Airport After Tarmac Fire
A dramatic incident unfolded overnight on December 4th at Brazil's busiest air hub, Sao Paulo International Airport, as a fire erupted on the tarmac. This alarming event necessitated the rapid evacuation of 169 passengers from a Latam Airlines Airbus A320, which was preparing for a domestic flight to Porto Alegre in southern Brazil.
Swift Response and No Injuries Reported
The blaze, which ignited in external equipment positioned on the ground near the aircraft, prompted immediate safety protocols. Passengers were swiftly directed to exit the plane utilizing both the standard boarding bridge and emergency evacuation slides. Fortunately, Latam Airlines promptly confirmed that there were no injuries among those onboard, highlighting the effectiveness of the quick response.
The airport's emergency services swiftly brought the situation under control. Videos widely shared across social media platforms captured the intense scenes, displaying flames near the underside of the aircraft and plumes of thick smoke, followed by images of passengers safely descending the emergency slides onto the tarmac, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Investigation Underway into Fire's Origin
The incident triggered immediate safety protocols, with the presence of smoke from the fire being a significant factor. While a full investigation into the exact cause is underway, Latam Airlines stated that initial findings indicate the fire originated in equipment belonging to a subcontractor responsible for loading cargo onto the aircraft.
Passenger Re-accommodation and Airport Operations
Following the disruption, the majority of the affected passengers—a total of 159 individuals—successfully reached their destination in Porto Alegre by the morning of December 5th. The remaining ten passengers were efficiently re-accommodated on alternative flights or provided with overland transportation options.
GRU Airport, which manages Sao Paulo International, took precautionary measures by briefly suspending fueling operations for other aircraft for a period of ten minutes. The airport management has also pledged its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the incident. This swift and coordinated response ultimately ensured the safety of all involved, minimizing further impact on overall airport operations.