Israeli airliner makes emergency landing after wheel explodes

An El Al passenger jet landed safely at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport today after a wheel exploded.

Israel’s Army Radio said the plane, destined for Moscow, had turned around after a pilot heard the explosion and feared the body of the plane had been damaged.

Authorities had said that the crew and passengers on board remained calm throughout the incident, Israel Radio reported.

About 30 ambulances and fire engines were stationed at the airport, where a state of emergency had been declared, rescue spokesman Yeruham Mandola said. More than 100 passengers and crew were on the aircraft, he said.