Panaji: The Goa Airport was closed down temporarily for a few hours after a fire incident was reported from here on Saturday. The incident was caused by a drop tank of the MiG 29K, which got detached while taking off. 

According to reports, while taking off for an operational mission from Dabolim airfield at around 1 PM, the external fuel tank of a MiG 29K aircraft got jettisoned inadvertently on the runway. The fire was caused by fuel spillage.

MiG 29K aircraft is currently safe.

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Emergency services were immediately pressed into action. While a few civil/commercial flights were diverted, some departures were slightly delayed. 

Civil operations have re-commenced at Goa airport since 2.30 PM.