Korean Air plane terminates takeoff after engine catches fire

An aerial picture shows fire fighters spraying foam at the engine of a Korean Air Lines plane after smoke rose from it at Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan, May 27, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO - A Korean Air passenger plane terminated takeoff from Tokyo's Haneda airport Friday after its left engine caught fire, police said.

The Boeing 777-300, bound for Seoul from Tokyo, was reported to have caught fire at the left engine around 12:44 p.m. local time before taking off from the airport.

The 302 passengers and 17 crew members onboard the plane were forced to evacuate. Seven passengers suffered bruises, while some 30 people reported feeling unwell due to smoke inhalation, airport staff said.

The runway the plane was due to take off from has been closed. Three other runways have been temporarily closed but resumed operation around 2:30 p.m. local time.

The police said there were no immediate signs that terrorism was involved in the incident.