Planes collide and catch fire at Japan's busy Haneda airport, killing 5, Hundreds evacuated safely
Tokyo, Jan 2: A passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard aircraft collided on the runway at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Tuesday and burst into flames, with five people on the smaller plane killed, officials said.
All 379 people on Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 got out safely before the plane was engulfed in flames, Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed. The pilot of the coast guard plane escaped but the five crew members died, Saito said.
Tuesday's accident was the first time one of the Airbus A350, among the industry's newest large passenger planes, was severely damaged. It entered commercial service in 2015.
The Japan Airlines A350 had flown from Shin Chitose airport near the city of Sapporo, the transport minister said.
Coast guard spokesperson Yoshinori Yanagishima said its Bombardier Dash-8 plane, which is based at Haneda, had been due to head to Niigata to deliver relief goods to residents affected by a deadly earthquake in the region on Monday. The turboprop Dash-8 is widely used on short-haul and commuter flights.
The coast guard pilot reported to his base that his aircraft exploded after colliding with the commercial plane, Vice Commander Yoshio Seguchi told reporters.
Shigenori Hiraoka, head of the Transport Ministry Civil Aviation Bureau, said the collision occurred when the JAL plane landed on one of Haneda's four runways where the coast guard aircraft was preparing to take off. Transport safety officials were analyzing communication between aviation control officials and the two aircraft and planned to interview JAL officials to determine what led to the collision.
Hiraoka praised JAL for "taking appropriate procedures" to safely evacuate all passengers and crew members.
Swede Anton Deibe, 17, a passenger on the Japan Airlines plane, told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that "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.
"The smoke in the cabin stung like hell. It was a hell. We have no idea where we are going so we just run out into the field. It was chaos," Deibe added.
Another passenger told NHK television that cabin attendants were calm and told everyone to leave their baggage behind, then all lights went off and the temperature inside the cabin started rising. The passenger said she was afraid she might not get off the plane alive.
The transport minister said officials were doing their utmost to prevent any delays in the delivery of relief goods and other operations for the disaster-hit region. Transport officials said the airport's three other runways had reopened.
Haneda is one of the busiest airports in Japan, and many people travel over the New Year holidays.
Haneda is the busier of two major airports serving the Japanese capital, with many international and transcontinental flights. It is particularly favoured by business travellers due to its proximity to central parts of the city.
The twin-engine, twin-aisle A350 is used by a number of long-haul international carriers. More than 570 of the aircraft are in operation, according to Airbus.
JAL operates 16 of the A350-900 version aircraft, according to its website. It recently announced details of 13 of the newer A350-1000 variant it plans to bring into service, saying it will become "the airline's new flagship for international service after nearly 20 years". The first of those planes arrived a few weeks ago, slated for the Haneda-New York JFK route.
The International Air Transport Association trade group said on the X social media platform that its thoughts were with those aboard the two aircraft, saying that "the last two days have been difficult for Japan".
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Amid protests in IIT Guwahati over student's death, dean of academic affairs resigns
Guwahati, Sep 11: Amid protests by students of IIT Guwahati demanding justice for a third-year student, who died allegedly by suicide, Dean of Academic Affairs K V Krishna resigned from his post.
A third-year Computer Science student, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, was found dead in his hostel room on Monday, leading to protests by students who also demanded proper mental health support for all.
Students had gathered outside the administration building since Monday evening and many of them did not attend classes in protest against recurring incidents of deaths of students by suicide in the campus.
This is the fourth death of a student at IIT Guwahati this year with a woman MTech student dying allegedly by suicide on August 9.
In a statement on Wednesday, the IIT authorities said they have received the resignation letter of the dean.
"We are discussing this internally. A decision will be taken soon," the statement said.
The students are also demanding the resignation of the Professor of Mathematics who had allegedly failed 40 students due to lack of required attendance, the vice chairman of the Hostel Affairs Board and the associate dean of student affairs.
IIT Guwahati Director Devendra Jalihal met students and held discussions with them for several hours and took cognisance of their issues and concerns, the statement said.
A student later said that director patiently heard their concerns and assured them that the three other professors would also resign within a week.
The protesting students claimed that the deceased was suffering from health issues and was disturbed mentally after he was marked for failed attendance (FA).
They alleged that though the deceased student had submitted the required medical certificates, those were not considered making him even more depressed.
Director Jalihal also participated in a candle-light vigil on Tuesday night.
"As a new director who has taken charge recently, he is committed to resolving these issues and ensuring overall student well-being on the campus," according to the statement.
The director also urged the students to refrain from protests and return to their classrooms.
"While understanding and acknowledging the concerns of the students, it is crucial to prioritise academic continuity and maintain a peaceful campus," he urged the students.
The institute is taking the issues raised by the students seriously and addressing them to prevent future tragedies, he said.
"The well-being of everyone remains our top priority, and we are fully committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all," the statement said.
Meanwhile, IIT Guwahati authorities on Wednesday asked journalists not to visit the campus after the death of the student.
"Members of the media are requested not to visit the campus now. The institute assures you that the situation is being treated with utmost urgency," the statement said.
Media will soon be invited to the campus for a meeting with the director, it added.
"We request members of the press to understand and cooperate with us in these difficult times and give us a few days to bring the situation back to normal," the statement added.
Several journalists who have visited the campus in North Guwahati since Tuesday evening have been turned away from the gates.
IIT Guwahati authorities were also not available in person or over phone to talk to the media.
Journalists who were barred from entering the campus pointed out that they were prevented from doing their duty, with the authorities refusing to respond to their queries but only a statement was issued.
