Kathmandu, Nepal, 04 February (H.S.): A Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-303 bound for Istanbul from Tribhuvan International Airport suffered a right engine fire just four minutes after takeoff on Wednesday, prompting swift diversion to Kolkata after precautionary shutdown.

Airport General Manager Teknath Sitoula confirmed the 1:28 p.m. departure carrying 225 passengers executed an immediate westward turn, held on single engine for 10-12 minutes post-ignition alert from the captain; the facility suspended operations for 15 minutes, deploying fire tenders and ambulances amid full emergency protocols.

Crew isolated the blaze, stabilizing on left engine alone for safe Kolkata landing; Tribhuvan resumed normalcy thereafter, averting potential catastrophe through decisive airmanship on the widebody jet.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar