WATCH: Air China makes emergency landing in Singapore after engine fire leaves 9 injured

An Air China flight, CA403, bound for Singapore from Chengdu, China, had a harrowing experience on Sunday when its left engine caught fire mid-flight, forcing the plane into a rapid emergency landing at Changi Airport. The incident left nine of the 155 passengers with minor injuries but ultimately concluded with a successful evacuation.

The alarming incident unfolded when the aircraft "encountered smoke in the forward cargo hold and lavatory," as reported by Changi Airport on Facebook. The flight was on its routine journey to Singapore when this life-threatening situation arose.

Safe evacuation amidst chaos

At approximately 4:15 pm (0815 GMT), Air China Flight CA403 made a dramatic emergency landing, but the quick and professional response from the crew ensured the safety of all passengers and crew members. Changi Airport's official statement affirmed that "all passengers and crew have evacuated safely," offering a sigh of relief to those anxiously awaiting news.

Authorities managed to swiftly extinguish the fire in the left engine, preventing further catastrophe. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) confirmed that there were 146 passengers and nine crew members on board during the incident.

According to CAAS, "Nine passengers sustained minor injuries related to smoke inhalation and abrasions during the evacuation process. They have since been attended to," indicating that medical assistance was promptly provided.

Dramatic footage emerges

Social media was abuzz with a video clip posted on X (formerly Twitter), depicting passengers evacuating the stricken aircraft using emergency slides onto the tarmac. The footage underscored the urgency and tension of the situation.

Pratt&Whitney engine on fire, Air China flight evacuated on Singapore runway.

CA403 TFU-SIN squawking 7700 shortly before landing at Singapore due to PW1100G engine fire. Heavy smoke in cabin, crew evacuated the plane on runway.

The aircraft is a 4-year old A320neo B-305J. pic.twitter.com/CHBTPt8Du2

— FATIII Aviation (@FATIIIAviation)

In the aftermath of the emergency landing, the runway at Changi Airport was temporarily closed. Additionally, one aircraft had to be diverted to the nearby island of Batam in Indonesia, affecting other flight schedules. These measures were taken to ensure the safety and security of all passengers and flights.

The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau is taking charge of the investigation into the incident. They have also reached out to their Chinese counterparts for assistance in unraveling the events that led to the engine fire, ensuring transparency and thorough examination of the circumstances.