ZAGREB, May 16 (Xinhua) -- A Croatia Airlines aircraft veered off the runway during takeoff at Split Airport on Saturday, causing damage to the plane but leaving all passengers and crew members unharmed, local authorities and the airline confirmed.
The Airbus A220-300, operating scheduled international flight OU412 from the coastal city of Split to Frankfurt, Germany, aborted its takeoff after drifting into a grassy area next to the runway.
"For reasons yet unknown, the aircraft veered off the runway during its takeoff roll and ended up partly on the grass," Mate Melvan, head of passenger handling at Split Airport, told local media.
Melvan added that the aircraft sustained damage after striking a vertical sign and runway edge lights.
There were 132 passengers and five crew members, including two pilots and three cabin crew, on board. All of them were safely and immediately evacuated from the aircraft.
The crew managed to stop the plane safely in accordance with prescribed emergency protocols, Croatia Airlines said in a statement.
The passengers were transferred to the terminal building at Split Airport. Meanwhile, airport technical teams are working to remove the damaged aircraft from the runway.
Further details will be released following initial expert inspections, the airline said. ■