Japanese transport and fire officials say smoke came from a passenger's smartphone on board an airplane before takeoff from Tokyo's Haneda Airport. They say the smoke was extinguished, and no one was injured.

Officials at the transport ministry and the Tokyo Fire Department say the air traffic control tower received a report shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday involving a British Airways flight bound for London.

They note that the report said the aircraft was taxiing from the parking apron toward the runway when smoke emerged from a passenger's baggage.

They say the plane returned to the parking area in accordance with the control tower's instructions and the smoke was put out with a fire extinguisher on board.

Firefighters then inspected the cabin and found that the smoke had come from a passenger's smartphone.

The aircraft was reportedly carrying 211 passengers and crew. It departed about an hour behind schedule after safety checks at the parking apron.

The transport ministry is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

nhk