Panic erupted at São Paulo's main international airport on Thursday evening when an external fire sent thick smoke billowing into a passenger jet, forcing 169 people to abandon all belongings and flee for their lives.
Chaotic Scenes on the Tarmac
The dramatic incident occurred on board LATAM Airlines flight LA3418, an Airbus A320, as it prepared to depart from Guarulhos Airport (GRU) for Porto Alegre. According to the airline, the blaze originated in ground equipment—specifically a conveyor belt used for loading luggage into the aircraft's hold. The equipment belonged to a subcontractor handling cargo operations.
Footage from the scene captured the terrifying moments as flames burned near the aircraft and dense black smoke swirled around the fuselage. Inside the cabin, screams rang out as crew members urgently directed passengers towards the exits. The evacuation was swift but chaotic, with travellers seen pushing their way to safety.
Multiple Escape Routes Utilised
Passengers used multiple escape routes to get off the smoke-filled plane. Some exited via emergency slides deployed onto the tarmac, while others managed to flee through a boarding bridge that remained attached to the aircraft. The airport's fire crews responded quickly to the scene and were later photographed removing the charred conveyor belt equipment.
In an official statement, LATAM confirmed that there were no injuries reported among passengers or crew. "The situation was quickly brought under control," the airline said, attributing the activation of onboard safety protocols to the smoke from the external fire.
Aftermath and Ongoing Travel Disruptions
The repercussions of the emergency extended beyond the immediate evacuation. As a precautionary measure, GRU Airport temporarily suspended refuelling for all other aircraft for a period of ten minutes. The airport authority has pledged full cooperation with the subsequent investigation into the cause of the fire.
Regarding the disrupted travel plans, LATAM arranged alternative transport for all affected passengers. By Friday morning, 159 of the original travellers had arrived in Porto Alegre on a different flight. The remaining ten passengers were accommodated on other flights or provided with overland transport to their destination.
This incident at Guarulhos follows another high-profile aviation emergency earlier this year, when a Delta Airlines Airbus A330 was evacuated on the runway at Orlando Airport due to an engine fire. Such events highlight the critical importance of rigorous safety procedures and rapid crew response during ground-based emergencies.
