Saudi Arabian Airlines jet makes emergency landing at holy city

A Saudi Arabian Airlines jet made an emergency landing in Muslim holy city Medina in the west of the kingdom on Sunday, injuring 29 people, an aviation authority spokesman said.

RIYADH // Twenty-nine people were injured when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Medina on Sunday after its landing gear failed.

A spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority, Khaled bin Abdullah Khaybari, said a technical failure prevented the crew from lowering the rear wheels on the right side of the Boeing 767-300.

The flight was carrying 315 people from the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, including 16 crew members.

Mr Khaybari said fire and rescue teams were deployed at Medina’s Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport after the crew reported the landing gear problem and preparations were made for an emergency landing.

The injuries happened during a stampede as passengers scrambled to evacuate the plane, Mr Khaybari said. Most of those hurt suffered only minor injuries, though 11 were taken to the hospital for treatment, he said.

Saudi Arabian Airlines reported that 12 passengers were taken to hospital, and that three remained in unstable condition. It did not elaborate.

All flights to Medina were halted for 24 hours, according to the airline. It has formed a committee to track the condition of affected passengers.

Versions of the Boeing 767, a twin-engine, widebody jet, have been in use for more than three decades.

Saudi Arabian Airlines, also known as Saudia, is the kingdom’s national carrier and operates a fleet of more than 100 aircraft.

* Associated Press