Seven British citizens were among 309 passengers and crew on board an Air France flight from Paris that crashed on landing at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport yesterday.
The Airbus A340 flight AF358 touched down at 4.10pm local time before skidding off the runway and bursting into flames.
Initial reports have blamed bad weather for the incident.
It is understood the airport was in a state of red alert at the time of the crash, meaning aircraft could land but not take off because of lightning, rain and extreme winds.
Nobody was killed although 22 people suffered minor injuries and were treated in local hospitals, the airline said.
According to eye-witnesses, some survivors ran on to the nearby Highway 401 to hail motorists and get lifts to the main terminal building.
Air France said the two captains in command of the flight had more than 4,300 hours’ combined experience of flying A340s.
A helpline for family or friends of booked passengers has been set up to take enquiries. Callers from the UK should phone 00 33 1 5693 1000.
Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.
The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.