169 Passengers Evacuate Plane in Panic Due to Airport Fire Filling Cabin with Smoke

A LATAM Airlines flight was forced to evacuate after smoke filled the cabin due to a fire at So Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport.

The incident occurred on December 4, when Flight LA3418, bound for Porto Alegre, experienced a fire on the ground. Reports indicate that a baggage conveyor linked to the aircraft caught fire while the plane was stationed on the runway, causing smoke to enter the cabin.

Video shared online shows the aircraft surrounded by flames with smoke billowing inside. Firefighters were on site, controlling the blaze as passengers queued and evacuated from the plane. Emergency slides were deployed to assist in the safe exit of those onboard.

All 169 passengers were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. LATAM Airlines confirmed the fire originated from equipment used by a subcontractor responsible for loading cargo, and passengers were instructed to leave their belongings behind during the evacuation.

Flight tracking data shows the flight eventually departed So Paulo at 1:04 a.m. on December 5, nearly three hours behind schedule, and landed in Porto Alegre at 2:54 a.m. Of the original passengers, 159 arrived on the delayed flight, while 10 others were accommodated on alternate flights or transported by road.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and authorities are reviewing the incident to prevent future occurrences.

Author: Lucas Grant