A flight to China was halted after the plane caught fire after hitting a bird shortly after takeoff in Rome, airport officials said.
The engine of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operated by China’s Hainan Airlines caught fire on Sunday shortly after takeoff at 9:55 a.m. local time from Rome Fiumicino Airport after hitting a bird.
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The plane, bound for the Chinese city of Shenzhen with 249 passengers and 16 crew, quickly turned around and landed safely after spilling fuel over the sea, officials said from the airport.
The plane apparently struck a bird, which airport officials say is common and can pose a significant threat to aircraft safety.
The incident remains under investigation. Airport officials said there were no delays in air traffic at Fiumicino Airport.
In videos broadcast to local media, flames were visible on the right side of the plane before it returned to the airport.
