A Heathrow-bound British Airways aircraft remains grounded this morning in Johannesburg after colliding with a building last night, according to local aviation authorities.
The wing of the Boeing 747, which was carrying 202 passengers, clipped an office building at Tambo International airport as it was taxiing to the runway for a late departure on Sunday.
A spokeswoman from the South African Civil Aviation Authority said four people inside the building were injured, but those onboard were unharmed.
Local reports said the plane had taxied to a runway too narrow for a wide-body jumbo jet.
“This resulted in the aircraft’s right-hand wing impacting the office building,” the spokeswoman told AFP.
She said the pilot said did not follow the instructions provided by the airport’s control tower.
“Four ground-handling employees who were in the building at the time experienced minor injuries,” said Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) in a statement.
The airline said it was cooperating with the South African CAA and that a full investigation had been launched.
“A British Airways Boeing 747 was damaged while taxiing at Johannesburg airport,” said the airline.
"Customers disembarked safely and were looked after by our staff.”