Plane evacuated after oil fumes fill cabin moments before take-off

At least four people report feeling unwell after 'mist' invades cabin

Oil vapour fills the cabin moments before take-off on All Nippon Airways jet (Twitter/jirige_0804)

Passengers on a Japanese plane were forced to evacuate after oil fumes filled the cabin moments before it was due to take off.

All 137 passengers and crew on board the All Nippon Airways jet escaped onto the tarmac at Narita airport in Tokyo. Local media reported at least four people felt unwell.

The airline said a damaged power unit caused an “internal lubricant” to flow into the air conditioning system, where it turned into a “mist” and made its way into the cabin.

“We deeply apologise for the concern and inconvenience caused to customers,” it said in a statement.

Japan’s transport ministry said is suspected an oil leak that vaporised before reaching passengers. It found no evidence of a fire in the Boeing 767's cabin.

Footage shared on social media showed what initially appeared to be smoke filling up the cabin, before shouts from crew were followed by passengers putting themselves in the brace position.

The flight, which was bound for Hong Kong, was rescheduled and due to arrive in the Chinese territory on Tuesday afternoon.