Two aircraft involved in ‘minor collision’ on runway at Heathrow

Two aircraft have been involved in a “minor collision” on the runway at Heathrow, the airport has said.

Emergency services are at the scene but no injuries have been reported. An Icelandair plane and Korean Air aircraft are understood to have had a collision on the airfield at about 8pm on Wednesday, which is being investigated.

A source said there was no significant impact on departures or arrivals but passengers could check the status of their flights with their airlines.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Emergency services are attending an incident involving two aircraft on the airfield.

“No injuries have been reported but emergency services are attending to ensure all passengers and crew are safe and well.”

Footage of the incident circulated on social media.

Dan Sabbagh, the Guardian’s defence and security editor, was among the passengers on the Korean Air flight to Seoul and posted a photograph of about 10 police cars and two fire engines by the plane. He said passengers deboarded the plane for safety reasons.

Another passenger, Richard Taylor, said he saw the left wing of the Korean Air plane clip the tail of the Icelandair while taxiing.

“There was very little movement from our wing as it touched,” he said, adding that what “looked like shards” broke off the tail of the parked Icelandair plane.

London fire brigade attended alongside the London ambulance service. The LAS spokesman said: “We were called today at 8.06pm to reports of an incident at Heathrow airport.

“We sent a number of resources to the scene including members of our hazardous area response team, a clinical team leader, a cycle responder and an incident response officer.

“We attended a reception centre for passengers but nobody required treatment or needed to be taken to hospital.”