Emirates plane crash-lands with 300 aboard; 1 firefighter

There were indications of wind shear, or a sudden downdraft, at the airport during the aircraft’s descent, but it remained uncertain whether this had any impact on the situation, as noted by the airline’s CEO later on.

Dubai-based Emirates, recognized as the largest airline in the Middle East, reported that the crash-landing took place at 12:45 p.m. local time as Flight EK521 was approaching from the southern Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram.

Social media users reported seeing smoke at the site, and images depicted a plane ablaze on the airport’s runway.