Arsenal women players escape unhurt after plane catches fire before take-off

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Arsenal women’s team players escaped unhurt in a mishap as the plane taking them to the United Kingdom from Wolfsburg caught fire before taking off at the Braunschweig Wolfsburg Airport on Sunday. The pilot aborted the take-off on the runway and the entire Arsenal squad and other passengers were evacuated.

The incident happened on Sunday evening after the side played out a 2-2 draw against Wolfsburg in the first leg of the Women’s League Champions League semifinal. The side returned to London on Monday afternoon instead.

The North London club has confirmed that none of their players were hurt during the incident. “Our aircraft developed a technical issue prior to take-off in Germany on Sunday evening,” read a statement by Arsenal.

“As a result, we remained in Wolfsburg overnight on Sunday before flying back to England on Monday afternoon. We would like to thank the staff onboard the aircraft and on the ground at the airport for their assistance.”

As per England’s popular tabloid Daily Mail, the plane’s engine burst into flame after it was hit by a bird. The impact led to a loud bang as well as flames were immediately visible on the left engine of the Boeing 737 of Maltese Airlines.

Arsenal also arrived in Germany using the same air carrier and were provided with a return flight by the airlines the next day for return to Germany. Arsenal women’s team will host Wolfsburg in the second leg of the semis on May 1. The winner will either face defending champions Barcelona or Chelsea in the final.