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NARROW ESCAPE! American Airlines with 173 on board catches fire, passengers evacuate via slides
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Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight at Denver International Airport were evacuated Saturday afternoon following an incident involving the aircraft’s landing gear during takeoff, officials confirmed.
According to the Denver Fire Department, the issue occurred on American Airlines Flight 3023, which was scheduled to depart from Denver to Miami International Airport. The incident took place while the plane was still on the runway.
CBS News reported that all 173 passengers and six crew members on board were safely evacuated. The airline confirmed that one individual was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the crew of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 “reported a possible landing gear incident during departure” around 2:45 p.m. local time.
Video footage posted to Instagram by passenger Mark Tsurkis captured the evacuation, showing smoke and flames coming from the rear of the aircraft as passengers exited via an emergency slide. Evacuated passengers were transported to the terminal by bus. The FAA confirmed that it is actively investigating the incident.
Tsurkis, who lives in both Miami and Colorado Springs, told CBS News Miami the frightening moment happened just before takeoff.
“During the speed-up, when the plane almost took off, we heard a loud boom, and I said, ‘That’s not good,’” Tsurkis said.
He continued, “It was definitely an unpleasant moment, but we were lucky that we didn’t get up in the air yet, so we weren’t airborne just yet, but I would imagine that it happened five to 10 seconds before we were airborne.”
According to Tsurkis, the pilots quickly decelerated and brought the aircraft to a stop. Within a minute, passengers noticed smoke rising from the plane, prompting the evacuation.
The airport confirmed that five people were evaluated at the scene but did not require further treatment. However, one person was taken to the hospital for medical attention, a detail also confirmed by both the airline and airport authorities.
American Airlines said in a statement that the aircraft “experienced a maintenance issue prior to takeoff” involving one of its tires and has since been removed from service for inspection. Later Saturday evening, the Denver Fire Department reported it had extinguished a fire after responding to the scene.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed insinuations following his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, stating that he does not practice “politics of enmity”.
Speaking with newsmen during a project inspection on Wednesday, Wike clarified that his interaction with the APC chairman was a matter of personal association and professional courtesy rather than a formal political meeting.
The Minister had inspected the ongoing construction of roads in Karu, Apo-Karshi and Kubwa, to ensure completion as scheduled.
Responding to questions regarding the lack of a formal briefing after the visit, the Minister maintained that he is under no obligation to disclose details of his private life or social interactions.
Wike argued that every individual has the freedom to associate with others regardless of political affiliations.
He maintained that the visit was private, questioning why such a personal act should be announced to the “whole world”.
He rejected the idea that members of different political parties, such as the APC and PDP, should avoid each other.
Wike reminded reporters of his long-standing relationship with Yilwatda, noting that both had served as colleagues when was a minister.
”We’re all colleagues before he left for the chairmanship of APC. So what I should do anytime I see him is to hide? Anytime he sees me, he should run away so people will not say something?”
He explained that the visit was a reciprocal gesture after Yilwatda had made several unsuccessful attempts to see him at his office.
Wike noted that as a busy minister, he often receives many visitors, and since the APC Chairman could not secure an appointment at the office, he opted to visit the APC chairman at his residence to hear what he had to say.
The Minister emphasized that his primary concern remained the fulfillment of his duties and the satisfaction of his “appointor”.
He stated that he remained indifferent to public perception or “what somebody on the road is thinking” as long as he is carrying out his assigned tasks dutifully.
”What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” Wike concluded, asserting that the results of his work hold more weight than political speculation.
Comedian, AYo Makun, professionally known as AY, has spoken about the late Nollywood actor, Alex Ekubo’s final moments.
Recall that Alex Ekubo died in Lagos hospital on Monday, May 11 2026, after a long battle with cancer.
Alex, who was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer in 2024, underwent a transplant.
In 2026, the liver failed again, and he died from complications hours after being placed on life support.
Speaking about Alex’s final moments in an Instagram post, Comedian AY, who was present at the hospital, revealed that Alex was smiling when he breathed his last breath.
“Some losses do not feel real no matter how many times you try to process them. Still struggling with the reality that you are gone, Alex.
From the laughter to the conversations, the random moments, the brotherhood, and all the memories we shared in this industry. This one hurts deeply.
“I was there. I saw you still smiling even in death. I saw the tears from friends and family. And honestly, a part of me is still in shock. Rest well my brother. You will be remembered beyond the lights, the cameras, and the fame”, AY wrote.
Also, Alex Ekubo’s friend, Godwin Nnadiekwe, revealed that Alex prepared his will before his death.
Godwin wrote on his Instagram story “Alex Ekubo. To think you already prepared your will, It’s a heartbreak I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.”
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to 75 years in prison for stealing public funds totalling about N33.8 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, brought the case before the court.
Mamman was accused of money laundering and conspiracy involving funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
The ruling marks a major escalation from the earlier stage, where the court only dismissed his no-case submission and ordered him to open his defence.
More details soon…
“I don’t play politics of enmity” — Wike defends Visit to APC Chair Yilwatda(Photos)
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