BREAKING: Twelve injured as American Airlines plane with 178 onboard catches fire while taxiing

Dozens of passengers had to stand on the wing of an American Airlines plane at Denver International Airport after evacuating due to an engine fire on Thursday evening.

Thick black smoke billowed into the air as the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, landed following reports of “engine vibrations,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

American Airlines Flight 1006, carrying 172 passengers and six crew members from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth, diverted to Denver around 5:15 p.m. local time. The FAA stated that the engine caught fire while taxiing to the gate. The fire was extinguished, and all passengers were safely evacuated.

Images from the scene show passengers exiting the aircraft and standing on the wing as smoke filled the air. The Denver Fire Department reported that 12 passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.

American Airlines praised the swift actions of its crew, airport staff, and first responders, emphasizing their focus on safety. A video captured inside the airport showed flames and smoke engulfing the plane as passengers ran from the aircraft. Witness Kristal Leonard described the sight as terrifying, expressing concern for those on board.

The airline is dispatching a replacement aircraft and crew to Denver to continue the journey to Dallas. This incident comes just weeks after a Delta Air Lines plane crashed and caught fire in Toronto, adding to a string of aviation emergencies this year.