Dubai airport fire: Video shows huge fireball exploding from Emirates plane after crash landing

Officials say all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft and no injuries were reported

Horrified passengers watched a fireball explode from a plane after it crash-landed at Dubai International Airport with 300 people on board.

Officials said all passengers were safely evacuated from the Boeing 777, which skidded across the tarmac after its landing gear reportedly failed on Wednesday.

Footage showed thick black smoke pouring from the damaged aircraft left leaning on its right wing.

An Emirates Boeing 777-300 at Dubai International Airport on 3 August 2016. (EPA)

Seconds later, a huge fireball burst out of the front section of the plane, sending a large part of its bodywork into the air and crashing back down on to the runway.

A spokesperson for the Dubai media office, which represents the Emirate's government, said flight EK521 was arriving on schedule from India when it “crash-landed”.

“All passengers were evacuated safely and no injuries have been reported so far,” a statement added.

“Authorities at Dubai International Airport are dealing with the incident at the moment to ensure safety of all.”

According to air traffic control recordings obtained by the Aviation Herald , controllers at Dubai had reminded the crew of the Boeing 777 to lower the landing gear as it approached.

Shortly afterwards, the crew announced they were aborting the landing to “go around” - a routine procedure for which pilots are well trained - but the aircraft came to rest near the end of the runway instead.

There was no immediate confirmation on whether the landing gear was extended when the aircraft touched the ground.

A spokesperson for Emirates airlines said the aircraft was involved in an “operational incident” at about 12.45pm local time (9.45am BST).

“We can confirm that there are no fatalities, all passengers and crew are accounted for and safe,” a statement said.

“There were 282 passengers and 18 crew on board. The main priority remains with those involved and offering support to concerned family and friends."

The vast majority of those on board were Indian, followed by 24 British citizens, 11 from the UAE and others from 17 nations including the US, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

All departures and arrivals were temporarily suspended at Dubai International Airport and Emirates said it expected a network-wide delay lasting eight hours.

Phone lines have been set up for support concerned family and friends of those on board. Anyone in the UK can call 0203 450 8853, in the US 0018113502081 and 8002111 in the UAE.

Have you or anyone you know been affected by the incident? Contact us by emailing lizzie.dearden@independent.co.uk.