A Korean Air plane collided wings-pan with a Cathay Pacific plane at an airport on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido on Tuesday amid heavy snow — an incident that comes just weeks after a fatal two-plane collision in Tokyo.
As of January 5, at least 94 deaths have been reported and more than 200 earthquake victims remain missing as search and rescue operations continue in the Japanese island nation.
Tokyo (CNN) – A Korean Air plane collided wings-pan with a Cathay Pacific plane at an airport on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido on Tuesday amid heavy snow — an incident that comes just weeks after a fatal two-plane collision in Tokyo.
No injuries were reported in the collision at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, which occurred around 5:30 p.m., according to the airport operator. The Chitose Fire Department told CNN that the Korean Air plane was carrying 289 passengers and crew, while the Cathay Pacific plane was empty.
The wing of a Korean Air plane (left) collides with a Cathay Pacific plane (right) in a collision at New Chitose Airport, Japan, on January 16. (Kyodo News/Associated Press)
Airport safety issues have come under scrutiny in Japan after a fatal crash at Tokyo's busy Haneda Airport on January 2 when a Japan Airlines plane caught fire after colliding with a Coast Guard plane.
On Tuesday, both companies confirmed the incident on social media, with Korean Air saying one of its planes “made contact” with the Cathay plane during its pushback, adding that it was “cooperating with all relevant authorities.”
Cathay Pacific said its plane “was parked at the time and no passengers or crew were on board” when it “collided with the en route Korean Air A330.”
The accident occurred under snowy conditions. (Kyodo News/AP)
Cathay Flight 583 from Sapporo to Hong Kong has been cancelled, with the Hong Kong-based carrier saying passengers will be transferred on additional flights later in the day and the next day. There are two flights operating on the same route on Wednesday.
There are no concerns related to an oil leak after the accident, according to the fire department, which said the details are under investigation.
CNN Wire
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