Engine fire forces evacuation of JAL plane in snow in Japan

In this Jan. 29 photo, Japan Airlines passenger planes are seen on the runway at Haneda airport in Tokyo. More than 160 passengers and crew slid down emergency chutes in swirling snow on Tuesday after an engine fire forced a JAL domestic flight to abort takeoff and smoke entered the cabin, Japanese media reported. AFP

TOKYO—More than 160 passengers and crew slid down emergency chutes in swirling snow Tuesday after an engine fire forced a Japan Airlines domestic flight to abort takeoff and smoke entered the cabin, Japanese media reported.

National broadcaster NHK showed video of the passengers evacuating and then gathering on the snow-covered tarmac at New Chitose Airport, which serves the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island.

One woman sustained a minor hip injury, NHK said, citing police.

The broadcaster said the Boeing 737 with 159 passengers and six crew members was bound for Fukuoka in southern Japan.