TOKYO/MANILA (Xinhua): Kansai International Airport in western Japan fully reopened its runways early Saturday after a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing due to a cargo room fire alert.
United Airlines flight 32, bound for Cebu in the Philippines from Narita International Airport near Tokyo, made the emergency landing at around 7:10 p.m. local time Friday at the airport in Osaka Prefecture.
All 142 passengers and crew evacuated by emergency slides, while five sustained minor injuries, according to a local fire department.
The cockpit received a warning about a fire in the cargo compartment at about 6:30 p.m. local time Friday while flying over the Pacific Ocean, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing transport ministry officials.
No firefighting activities took place, and an initial inspection found no signs that a blaze had broken out, the report said.
The airport closed its two runways following the emergency landing of the Boeing 737 aircraft.
The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism recognized the case as a serious incident requiring investigation, and the Japan Transport Safety Board appointed two officials to investigate the matter. - Xinhua
