KATHMANDU: A Turkish Airlines plane carrying 277 passengers and 11 crew members caught fire while landing at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday, officials confirmed.

According to Nepal’s civil aviation authority spokesman Gyanendra Bhul, sparks emerged from the aircraft’s right landing gear during landing after the flight arrived from Istanbul.

“All aboard are safe; the rescue part is over. We are now investigating the accident,” Bhul told AFP.

Airport authorities temporarily shut down the airport’s only runway for nearly two hours following the incident.

Flight operations later resumed after emergency teams secured the area.

Nepal, known for its mountainous terrain and challenging runways, has witnessed several aviation incidents in recent years.

Safety concerns prompted authorities to introduce improved radar and weather-monitoring systems.

In 2015, another Turkish Airlines aircraft carrying 224 passengers skidded off the same runway in Kathmandu, causing a four-day airport closure and widespread flight cancellations.

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Turkish airliner catches fire during Kathmandu landing, passengers safe