A Japan Airlines plane burst into flames in Tokyo on Tuesday evening as it landed on the runway at Haneda Airport.
Footage shown on local broadcaster NHK showed that the runway was set alight as flames burned near the windows of the aircraft, as well as beneath it.
NHK, citing authorities, said the aircraft may have collided with a Japanese coastguard plane after landing at the airport.
Japan Airlines later confirmed that all 379 people on board the commercial airliner – which had taken off from Shin-Chitose Airport in Hokkaido – were evacuated safely.
In light of the incident, all runways at Haneda, which is Japan’s busiest airport, were closed.
Live footage showed some of the passengers on board evacuating the burning aircraft on inflatable slides, before running away from the scene.
The aircraft is now almost entirely destroyed by the flames – with air crews still battling to bring it under control.
Though all 379 passengers on the Japan Airlines plane were safely evacuated, Coastguard spokesperson Yoshinori Yanagishima confirmed the collision between the coastguard aircraft MA722 and the Japan Airlines plane.
AFP news agency quoted Japan’s transport minister as saying that five people who were on board the coastguard plane have died.
State broadcaster NHK also reported five dead, adding that the captain escaped but is severely injured.
It’s believed the coastguard aircraft, which was taking food to areas hit by Monday’s powerful earthquake, collided with the Japan Airlines plane as it landed on the runway.
