Panic ensued at Chennai airport, southern India, on September 24 after smoke was seen billowing from a passenger plane's engine.

The aircraft was being refuelled an hour before its takeoff to Dubai when smoke was seen.

According to sources at the airport, staff mistakenly filled the plane with excess fuel causing smoke to come from the engine.

After the fire was extinguished and checks completed, the plane was able to take off several hours later.

Tension and panic gripped the Chennai airport on Tuesday night after smoke started coming from the engine compartment of a flight to Dubai which was being refuelled an hour before takeoff. The Emirates flight to Dubai was scheduled to depart from Chennai at 10 pm. The flight usually arrives from Dubai at 8.30 pm and then returns to Dubai. According to airport sources, while the staff refuelled the aircraft, they mistakenly filled excess fuel. Due to this, smoke started coming from the engine compartment.

Responding immediately, the pilot and engineers started draining the fuel. At the same time, the Chennai airport fire and rescue team rushed in with equipment and began spraying water to ensure the aircraft did not catch fire.

After the incident, the pilot inspected the flight and found everything was normal. However, citing protocol, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security ordered that the flight would be allowed to take off only after undergoing a complete checkup. The flight finally took off past midnight after checks and clearance, airport officials said.