Dakar, May 9 (APS) – Diass Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) is closed on Thursday following the departure of a Transair plane chartered by Air Sénégal from the runway, we learned from an airport Source.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Land and Air Transport, El Hadji Malick Ndiaye visited the site.
”Air Senegal flight HC 301 to Bamako went off the runway during its take-off phase this Thursday around 1 a.m.,” indicates in a press release the company LAS, which operates the airport.
According to the same Source, ”78 passengers were on board and 11 injuries were recorded, including 04 serious. 6 other slightly injured people were admitted for observation to the Airport medical services.
”For the moment, the Airport is closed while waiting for the planned arrangements to be made. The reopening of the airport will be announced in the coming hours,” indicates LAS.
In its press release, LAS explains that the B737/300 aircraft, chartered by Air Senegal from the company TransAir, came to rest outside Threshold 19 of the runway.
The company which operates the AIBD indicates the emergency plan was triggered by the authorities as soon as the information was communicated to them.
Thus, she emphasizes, all the airport’s emergency services were mobilized for the evacuation of passengers and their care as planned.
According to LAS, ”the exact circumstances of the incident have yet to be determined, but an investigation is already underway to establish the causes of the runway excursion.
She assures that aviation specialists as well as representatives of the airline concerned are on site to closely examine the flight data and interview the crew members.
The flight to Bamako had 85 people on board including 79 passengers, 2 pilots and 4 members of cabin crew, according to the Ministry of Air Transport.
In a press release, he reported 10 injured including a pilot, ensuring that all measures had been taken to care for the injured.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Land and Air Transport El Hadji Malick Ndiaye went to the Emergency Operations Center where he chaired a crisis meeting.
He visited passengers and the injured admitted to hospital facilities.
According to the ministry, the Bureau of Investigation and Analysis (BEA) opened an investigation to determine the causes of the accident.
DOB/OID
