British passengers have described chaotic scenes after ‘all four’ tires of a Ryanair plane burst as it landed in Italy.
Arriving and departing flights have been suspended at Orio al Serio airport in Bergamo, near Milan, following the incident involving the flight from Barcelona.
Dramatic images show the passenger plane with its tires missing and metal wheels crushed after it apparently scraped the runway, which was also damaged.
Bystanders who had been on another flight claimed that their pilot told them the flight was the result of a ‘bad landing’, although this has not been confirmed by the airline or the airport.
Alice Longhurst, a marketing consultant from London, said: ‘You could smell the burning rubber on the plane. That was pretty scary.
“We were ready to leave and there were flames, which was scary. I was shocked. I’ve never experienced anything like this before.
Ryanair flight FR846 arriving from Barcelona El Prat, on the runway of Orio al Serio Airport, in Bergamo, Italy
Dramatic footage shows one of the blown tires on the Ryanair plane
Passengers wait for their flights at Orio al Serio airport after Milan-Bergamo airport was closed due to the incident
“They told us to wait a few hours and then they took us off the plane,” the 35-year-old continued.
She is currently waiting at Bergamo airport and said she faced delays of at least six hours.
It is reported that clean-up work is underway after the asphalt was damaged.
Emergency services attended the scene but no one is believed to have been injured.
Airport authorities have reportedly said no flights will operate until at least 5pm local time.
Incoming flights were diverted to other airports, including Milan Malpensa and Verona, Sky Italia reported.
A Ryanair spokesperson said: ‘Flight FR846 from Barcelona to Milan Bergamo (1 October) experienced a tire problem on landing at Milan Bergamo Airport.
“Passengers disembarked normally and the aircraft was inspected by engineers, who are currently maintaining the aircraft so it can be returned to service.”
Emergency services were present at the scene of the dramatic landing on Tuesday
Airport authorities said in separate comments: ‘SACBO (the company that manages the airport) advises that due to an aircraft being grounded due to technical problems, operations are suspended.
‘Departing flights have been delayed and arriving flights may be diverted or canceled until they reopen.’