Malaysia Airlines flight aborts takeoff in Tokyo after smoke reported

A passenger aircraft at Japan's Narita Airport suddenly caught fire and emitted large amounts of black smoke while preparing for takeoff on Thursday.

No injuries were reported on board.

Online footage shows the plane's left engine suddenly igniting during taxiing on the runway, soon followed by thick black smoke.

Fire trucks and ambulances later arrived.

According to NHK, the Chiba Prefecture fire department received a call at around 10:41 am reporting Malaysia Airlines flight MH89 scheduled to depart for Kuala Lumpur, experienced an engine failure, leading to the cancellation of the flight.

The report also stated that all 160 passengers and crew members on board were uninjured, and the runway was closed for inspection.