Delta passengers evacuated after flames erupt from plane engine

Passengers aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 1213 were evacuated on Sunday at Orlando International Airport after flames were observed coming from one of the aircraft’s engines prior to takeoff.

The Airbus A330, which was scheduled to fly from Orlando to Atlanta, was carrying over 200 passengers along with 10 flight attendants and two pilots.

Video shared on social media showed smoke and flames rising from the aircraft’s right engine and passengers exiting via emergency slides. No injuries were reported.

Orlando International Airport confirmed that its Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) team responded promptly to the incident.

Emergency vehicles were seen surrounding the aircraft on the tarmac.

According to a Delta Air Lines statement, flames were detected in part of one of the plane’s two main engines, prompting the evacuation as a precautionary measure.

“We appreciate our customers' cooperation and apologize for the experience,” the airline stated, adding that passenger safety remains their highest priority.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it will conduct a formal investigation into the incident.