Fire Incident at Guarulhos International Airport Leads to Emergency Evacuation

On December 4, 2025, a LATAM Airlines Airbus A320, designated flight LA3418, was evacuated at São Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport due to a fire that broke out in a baggage loader. The aircraft was preparing for departure to Porto Alegre when the incident occurred, resulting in smoke filling the cabin and prompting emergency protocols.

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The fire ignited in a baggage carousel connected to the aircraft while it was parked on the runway. As the smoke began to envelop the plane, alarms activated, halting the boarding process and triggering the airport's emergency response. Passengers, numbering 169, were instructed to evacuate the aircraft immediately. Eyewitness accounts and footage captured the scene, showing passengers queuing to exit as flames were visible near the plane.

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Fire crews arrived promptly to extinguish the blaze and assisted in the evacuation, deploying inflatable slides for passengers to exit safely. LATAM Airlines confirmed that all passengers were evacuated without injury, and the situation was brought under control swiftly.

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LATAM Airlines stated that the fire originated from equipment operated by a subcontractor responsible for loading cargo. The airline emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, noting that emergency protocols were effectively implemented. "The smoke generated from the equipment triggered safety protocols. Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft via the boarding bridge and the escape slide, all with the assistance of employees trained for this type of situation," the airline reported.

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Despite the panic caused by the incident, passengers reported that there was no smoke inside the aircraft when they were instructed to leave. A passenger recounted, "There was no smoke in the plane itself when the passengers were asked to leave the plane via loudspeakers." After the evacuation, LATAM Airlines arranged for rebooking passengers on alternative flights to Porto Alegre.

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While the incident concluded without injuries, some passengers expressed concern over the rapid onset of smoke and flames, highlighting the need for thorough investigations into safety protocols and equipment maintenance. The cause of the fire in the baggage loader remains under investigation, with no immediate explanation provided for why the ground vehicle caught fire.

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The incident is currently under investigation by aviation authorities to determine the exact cause of the fire and to assess the effectiveness of the emergency response. LATAM Airlines and Guarulhos International Airport have not yet released further comments regarding the ongoing investigation.

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• “According to the airline, the situation was quickly brought under control.” — LATAM Airlines

Brazil Fire under plane in São Paulo - passengers evacuated

• “Add WION as a Preferred Source Latam, a Brazilian airline, in a statement said, “The smoke generated from the equipment triggered safety protocols.” — LATAM Airlines

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• “A passenger told CNN Brasil that there was no smoke in the plane itself when the passengers were asked to leave the plane via loudspeakers a few moments before take-off.” — Passenger testimony

Brazil Fire under plane in São Paulo - passengers evacuated