Saudis endure in-flight drama on way to match
Engine catches fire but plane manages to land safely
An engine burst into flames during the landing of a Russian plane carrying the Saudi Arabian football team to a World Cup host city, but nobody was hurt, officials said yesterday.
Russia’s federal agency for air traffic said in a statement that the Airbus aeroplane flying from St Petersburg to the southern city of Rostov-onDon landed safely on Monday evening and no emergency procedures were required.
The aircraft landed with both of its engines working and the passengers disembarked normally, the agency’s statement said. An investigation into the incident has begun.
Rossiya Airlines, the flight’s operator, said that the malfunction was likely caused by a bird strike.
“The A319 landed using two engines. The passengers’ safety was never compromised,” Rossiya said in a statement. “The aeroplane landed normally, the airport did not declare a state of emergency.”
Suarez’s 100th appearance
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation posted pictures of the players exiting the plane on Monday night and a statement on Twitter saying it “would like
to reassure everyone that all the Saudi national team players are safe, after a technical failure in one of the aeroplane engines that has just landed in Rostov-on-Don airport, and now they’re heading to their residence safely”. The Saudis play Uruguay in Rostov-onDon today.
For a player who has made so many headlines at the World Cup, it is appropriate that Luiz Suarez will make his 100th appearance for Uruguay at football’s biggest tournament.
Barring any last minute disasters the Barcelona striker will reach his century of games for the Celeste when they play Saudi Arabia.
Uruguay may make changes to midfield, bringing in Carlos Sanchez and Cristian Rodriguez ahead of Nahitan Nandez and Giorgian De Arrascaeta today.
Saudi Arabia could make wholesale changes as they try to stay in the tournament.