Vietnam Airlines plane hit by lightning in Paris

TUOITRENEWS

Vietnam Airlines yesterday (Wednesday) admitted that its plane was struck by lightning when parking at an airport in Paris last month.

The national carrier told the press that the plane bearing VN534 flight number supposed to carry 230 passengers and one child was due to depart from Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport for Hanoi at 14:10 local time on April 24.

140 passengers bought tickets from Vietnam Airlines and the rest from Air France.

But lightning hit the outer cover of the plane’s engine, causing the flight to be cancelled.

The lightning-struck plane is being under repair.

Vietnam Airlines said it had transferred some passengers who needed to fly immediately to flights from other airlines.

Those volunteering to take a Vietnam Airlines flight the next day were provided with free accommodation and food at a hotel in Paris, the state-owned company said.

The Vietnam Airlines’ admission came on the same day when two farmers in the southern province of An Giang were struck dead by lightning as they were watering their rice fields.

Local police said Tran Van Manh and Tran Van Tong were running home as a rainstorm approached and were struck by lightning.