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New Delhi June 11 (UNI) At least 444 passengers, including 20 cabin crew members on board Air India's AI120 flight (London-Delhi-Mumbai) had a miraculous escape this morning after a major problem was detected in the plane soon after it took off from here.

The plane, which took off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport here around 0915 hrs, had to return within 10 minutes after some noise was heard from one of the right side engines. A German passenger even saw flames from the engine.

The German passenger, Martin, on his way to Surat via Mumbai, told UNI, that after seeing the flames, he immediately alerted the cabin crew who informed the pilot, who in turn announced that he would go in for an immediate emergency landing.

However, the plane returned safely to IGI airport at 0930 hrs. A cabin crew member on condition of anonymity, told a UNI correspondent on board that had the plane been at some more altitude, it could have been dangerous. ''We had even started all preparations for an emergency, ''he added.

There were at least ten journalists on board who had gone to cover IIFA ceremony in Leeds as well as the members of Shamak Davar dance troupe which had gone to perform during the festival.

Later, all the passengers were shifted to Centaur Hotel. An Air India official said another flight would be arranged for them tonight or tomorrow morning.

UNI