Fully occupied aircraft goes up in flames shortly before take-off

By Andrej Sokolow

Orlando - More than 280 passengers have had to evacuate an airplane in the US vacation metropolis of Orlando after one of its two engines caught fire.

The engine of an Airbus A330 suddenly caught fire on the runway at Orlando International Airport.
The engine of an Airbus A330 suddenly caught fire on the runway at Orlando International Airport.  © Dylan Wallace/Dylan Wallace/AP/dpa

According to information available so far, there were no injuries in the incident at the airport, the airline Delta Air Lines announced.

There were 282 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The full Airbus A330 aircraft was due to fly to Atlanta.

The engine caught fire while the plane was being pushed away from the gate, according to the FAA.

The passengers left the plane via slides.

Orlando in the US state of Florida is a popular destination during the spring break vacation in the USA , which is now coming to an end.