A private jet ran off the runway at an airport in Libya before bursting into flames.
The Cessna Citation Latitude, reportedly owned by a billionaire businessman, caught fire during the crash-landing at Misrata International Airport in Libya earlier today.
The private jet, registered as TC-AKF, took off from Istanbul Ataturk Airport at 5:45am (local time) without any passengers on board. The plane was on its way to Misrata to pick up passengers, according to reports.
Emergency crews rescued the two pilots and one cabin crew member from the aircraft. The crew was reported to be in good condition, and all three escaped without injury.
Libya’s Transportation Ministry said it suspended flights at the airport after the incident.
The jet ran off the runway after touching down and caught fire, Turkiye Today reported. Firefighters have been tackling the blaze.
Emergency authorities moved in to contain the fire and ensure air navigation safety at the airport, with measures underway to clear the way for flights to resume, the ministry said.
Misrata International Airport is one of Libya’s main transport hubs with a passenger capacity of 500,000.
Turkish media reported that Turkish businessman Hamdi Akin owns the aircraft, a mid-sized business jet with a capacity for nine passengers.
Akin heads Turkish conglomerate Akfen Holding, ranks among the top 10 richest people in the country with a fortune of £1.93bn, according to Forbes.
In a statement, Akfen Holding confirmed that the aircraft belongs to the conglomerate and is operated by BKNJET Aviation Co.
The group added that the operator had informed the company that authorities were continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident.
