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A passenger jet’s engine exploded moments before take-off at a London airport, with more than 70 people on board the plane.

An investigation was under way today after the Swiss Air Avro RJ100 avoided disaster by seconds when its engine blew up on the runway at City Airport.

Passengers on yesterday’s 2.55pm flight to Geneva told how flames engulfed the engine.

Three people were left with minor injuries as a result of pushing and shoving in the frenzy to escape.

Courtney Helm, 29, an art consultant from Islington, who was going skiing, said: “It was so scary and shocking. I’m just thankful we were on the runway.”

Mike Mompi, 28, an investment adviser, said: “The flames were about a metre high, maybe even more, and there were big chunks of liquid metal coming out. Everybody started freaking out and… running for the exit.”

Several flights were left circling or redirected, and departing flights were postponed or cancelled, as the runway was shut for nearly 90 minutes.

A team from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch will now examine the plane, check its safety history and comb through witness accounts.