On Wednesday evening, Cape Town's emergency services were activated after a British Airways Airbus A350 heading for London had to return to Cape Town International Airport because of a technical problem during the flight.
The aircraft, BA58, had been in the air for nearly two hours when the crew notified of smoke detected inside the cockpit.
As a safety protocol, the pilots opted to head back. Both the emergency responders stationed at the airport and those spread throughout the city were kept ready to aid during the plane's return.
JP Smith, who serves as the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security in the City of Cape Town, shared an update via social media. In his explanation, he mentioned that the city’s Fire & Rescue Services were deployed to assist with what was termed a "Phase 2 Emergency Response".
Four major fire appliances were positioned and ready as the aircraft approached the airport.
Upon touchdown, the plane was taxied to a halt with the pilots taking charge. turn off the engines and the fuel system. The emergency team escorted the aircraft to a specific holding zone, where travelers exited safely without any issues.
Smith observed that the Fire & Rescue Services stayed at the scene until the situation was formally declared over. Their intervention has been recognized for its good coordination and adherence to typical emergency protocols.
The airport authorities along with municipal officials are currently examining the incident. Investigations are ongoing to identify the origin of the smoke, prioritizing adherence to safety protocols for travelers, staff, and rescue personnel.
The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has verified that an incident took place yesterday at the Cape Town International Airport concerning a British Airways flight. They have released this statement:
Although the specifics of the event come under the jurisdiction of the airline, we can verify that every standard airport emergency protocol was promptly initiated. Our emergency response units, backed by all pertinent parties, were rapidly dispatched following recognized safety guidelines to handle the scenario efficiently and guarantee the well-being of everyone involved.
We remain actively engaged with the airline and pertinent authorities as we proceed with further evaluation of the situation.
IOL Travel