Korean Air Jet Evacuated In Engine Fire Drama

More than 300 passengers and crew have been evacuated from a Korean Air jet after an engine fire.

Firefighters battled the blaze on the tarmac at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, dousing the area around its left wing in foam as smoke came out of the back of the engine.

All the 302 passengers and 17 crew were evacuated and there were no reported serious injuries, a fire department official said.

Emergency chutes were deployed from the plane's doors.

A Korean Air spokesman said that "19 people were (lightly) injured, some of whom said they feel ill".

The Boeing 777 was preparing for take-off when the incident occurred shortly after midday local time.

Dozens of fire engines were deployed and put out the blaze within an hour.

Police so far reportedly have no suggestion that the fire was caused by any criminal activity, and a government official said the cause was still unknown.

Flight 2708 was headed to Seoul, and the fire resulted in the temporary closure of the airport, causing at least 200 flights to be cancelled.