In the video | A wave of panic runs through the passengers of an emergency landing flight

Aviation Corporation Cuban (CAXA) announced on Sunday that a Southwest American plane made an emergency landing without injuries after an incident with one of its engines shortly after takeoff from Havana airport.

A video posted on Twitter by a passenger shows the nerve-wracking moments leading up to the emergency landing, with smoke billowing throughout the plane.

All around, cries are heard, as well as crying children.

Cuban officials and the airline said the incident occurred when the plane struck birds, causing smoke to appear in the cabin.

The incident occurred at 12:05 p.m. (17:05 GMT) shortly after the Boeing 737 of American company Southwest Airlines took off from Fort Lauderdale, according to the Cuba Aviation Corporation (CAXA), which governs the aviation sector in Cuba. , Florida (Southeastern United States).

“According to established procedure, it (the plane) was allowed to land at Havana airport. The passengers were evacuated and are in good health,” added Coxa, who opened the investigation.

Southwest Airlines said the birds struck the engine and nose of the plane carrying 147 passengers and six crew members.

“The pilots returned safely to Havana, where passengers exited the plane through the slides due to smoke in the cabin,” the company said in a statement sent to AFP.

Passengers will have to take another flight to reach Fort Lauderdale, he added.