A Delhi-bound Air India flight collided with a tug truck while taxiing towards the runway at Pune Airport on Thursday. The incident took place when around 180 passengers were on board the flight.

Tug vehicles are used to position aircraft on the ground.

Despite the collision, the crew and the passengers were reported to be safe.

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“There was an incident related to one of our aircraft, which was to operate from Pune to Delhi, at the time of its pushback. The aircraft was held back for checks, all passengers were offloaded safely, and the flight was cancelled,” an Air India spokesperson said, ANI reported.

The spokesperson added, “Passengers were eventually refunded their full fares and offered complimentary rescheduling. Those with onward international connections were flown to Delhi by other carriers. An investigation into the incident has already been initiated.”

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Officials said an inquiry has been launched into the incident.

(With inputs from ANI)