Mumbai, Sep 4 (IANS) Nearly 215 passengers and crew of a Riyadh-bound Air India flight had a narrow escape here Friday morning when they were evacuated quickly after one of the plane’s engines caught fire while proceeding for take-off.

The fire was noticed by the ground staff while the aircraft had begun to taxi toward the runway and was immediately doused, Air India spokesperson Jitendra Bhargava said. The AI 829 flight was bound for Saudi Arabia’s capital.

“The fire was in one of the engines. It was noticed during push back (during the taxiing after doors were ordered shut). It was immediately extinguished. All 213 passengers plus crew were evacuated. They are all safe,” Bhargava told IANS.

“The passengers will be sent to Riyadh later today,” he added.

-- IANS