Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific confirmed that there were only a few minor injuries in the accident in a flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Friday morning.
All the 351 passengers and 19 crew have been evacuated from the Boeing 747-400 aircraft, according to a statement. Preliminary information indicates the captain ordered the aircraft evacuated because smoke was detected in the cabin prior to departure.
All passengers and crew were taken to the airport after evacuation. At this stage the priority is the welfare of passengers and crew, it said. The airline has launched an investigation into the incident and is cooperating with the authorities at Shanghai airport.
In Shanghai, local police said three passengers were injured in the accident.
