dead, hundreds evacuated after Japan Airlines jet and coast guard plane collide at Tokyos Haneda Airport - CBS News

dead, hundreds evacuated after Japan Airlines jet and coast guard plane collide at Tokyos Haneda Airport - CBS News More Info Or live Video Watch link https://shorturl.at/dnIZ6 **Title: Tragedy Unfolds: Japan Airlines Jet and Coast Guard Plane Collision at Tokyo's Haneda Airport Results in Fatalities and Mass Evacuations** *By CBS News | Updated on January 2, 2024* In a devastating incident at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, a Japan Airlines jet collided with a coast guard plane on the runway, leading to multiple fatalities and the evacuation of hundreds of individuals. The aftermath of the collision left a scene of chaos, raising questions about the circumstances that led to this tragic event. **The Collision and Immediate Consequences:** On Tuesday, a Japan Airlines flight, JAL-516, collided with a Japanese coast guard aircraft during its landing at Haneda Airport. The impact resulted in a massive eruption of fire and smoke, engulfing the aircraft on the runway. The tragic incident claimed the lives of five crew members aboard the coast guard plane, while hundreds of passengers and occupants of the Japan Airlines jet were evacuated. Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed that all 379 occupants of the Japan Airlines flight managed to escape before the aircraft was entirely consumed by flames. Despite the successful evacuation of the commercial jet's passengers, the severity of the collision and the loss of lives on the coast guard plane have left a profound impact. **Eyewitness Accounts and Terrifying Moments:** Passengers on the Japan Airlines flight provided chilling accounts of the moments following the collision. Reports described a loud boom upon landing, sparks outside windows, and the cabin quickly filling with gas and smoke. Evacuation efforts were marked by panic and urgency as passengers utilized emergency exits to escape the smoke-filled cabin. Swede Anton Deibe, a 17-year-old passenger, recounted the chaos, stating, "The entire cabin was filled with smoke within a few minutes. We threw ourselves down on the floor. Then the emergency doors were opened, and we threw ourselves at them. It was chaos." **Efforts to Control the Situation:** The collision prompted an immediate response from airport and emergency services. Videos posted on social media depicted passengers sliding down inflatable emergency slides while flames engulfed the rear of the Japan Airlines plane. Firefighters battled to contain the blaze as the fuselage of the aircraft began to break apart. Haneda Airport, one of the busiest in Japan, was temporarily closed as aviation safety investigators and police launched an investigation into the collision. Authorities are working diligently to determine the sequence of events leading to the tragic incident. **Context and Impact:** The collision occurred just a day after a series of earthquakes rocked western Japan, claiming nearly 50 lives in the Ishikawa prefecture. Reports suggest that the coast guard plane, a Bombardier Dash-8 with the designation MA-722, was scheduled to deliver relief goods to residents affected by the earthquakes in Niigata. As the investigation unfolds, questions regarding the simultaneous presence of two planes on the runway and the protocols in place for such situations will likely be scrutinized. The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with air travel and the need for stringent safety measures, especially in busy airports during critical periods like the New Year holidays. The thoughts and condolences of the global community go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic event. *CBS News contributed to this report.*