Japan Airlines plane bursts into flames on Tokyo runway after collision

Hundreds have been evacuated from a Japan Airlines plane after it burst into flames at Tokyo International Airport, also known as Haneda.

The plane was reportedly involved in a collision with another aircraft after landing on Tuesday, according to local news reports. NHK TV reported that all 379 passengers on board the Japan Airlines (JAL) plane got out safely.

A spokesperson at JAL said the aircraft originated from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido.

Haneda is one of the busiest airports in Japan, and many people travel over the New Year holidays.

Citing local news outlet Nippon TV, journalist Patrick Fok told Al Jazeera that the coastguard plane was carrying aid to Niigata, a city on the west coast, as part of rescue efforts following Monday’s devastating earthquake.

“This really has been a troubling two days and the start of the year for people in Japan,” he added.

Alex Macheras, an aviation analyst, said it was still “very early” in terms of trying to grasp what exactly happened.