An AirAsia flight that departed Velana International Airport on Thursday night was later forced to make an emergency landing back at VIA after one of its engines caught fire.

An official of MACL revealed to 'One Online' that a local was on standby after a Thai AirAsia flight requested for an emergency landing. None of the passengers traveling from the flight were hurt during the incident.

Sources claim that the right engine of the Bangkok bound flight caught fire moments after take off. People who saw the incident claim that loud bangs were heard before seeing a blaze, which was heard as far as Senahiya Hospital in Male' City.

This is the first time a flight has made an emergency landing at VIA following a fire incident.