A harrowing incident unfolded at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar, Senegal, as a Boeing 737-300 aircraft, operated by TransAir for Air Sénégal, caught fire and careened off the runway. The flight, bound for Bamako, Mali, was carrying 85 individuals, including passengers and crew.

The chaos ensued late Wednesday, prompting a swift response as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Ten individuals sustained injuries in the ordeal, including the pilot, as confirmed by the country’s transport minister. Passengers recounted scenes of sheer panic as they evacuated the burning plane amidst the darkness of night.

Witnesses described the heart-stopping moment when flames engulfed one side of the aircraft, and passengers, gripped by fear, sought escape via emergency slides. Cheick Siriman Sissoko, a Malian musician on board, captured the tense moments on his phone, reflecting on the terror and the fleeting thoughts of loved ones that raced through his mind.

Reports indicate that the flight had initially attempted takeoff earlier in the evening, only to encounter difficulties. Despite reassurances from the pilot, smoke emanated from one of the wings during a subsequent attempt, leading to the catastrophic outcome.

Boeing, when approached for comment, directed inquiries to the respective airlines, underlining the operators’ responsibility for fleet maintenance and operation. Air Sénégal, however, remained silent on the matter, aside from announcing flight rescheduling between Dakar and Bamako.

This incident marks the latest in a series of challenges for Boeing, with recent events intensifying scrutiny on the company’s safety protocols. The crash in Senegal follows closely on the heels of another incident involving a Boeing aircraft in Turkey, where 190 passengers were evacuated after a tire burst during landing.

As investigations into the Senegal crash unfold, questions regarding aircraft maintenance and safety standards loom large, renewing concerns following previous tragedies involving Boeing planes. With the aviation industry and regulatory bodies closely monitoring developments, the focus remains on ensuring passenger safety and averting future disasters.