American Airlines plane catches fire in Denver after emergency landing

Twelve people taken to hospital with minor injuries after flight forced to divert about 30 minutes after takeoff

An American Airlines flight heading from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth was forced to divert about 30 minutes after takeoff to make an emergency landing at Denver on Thursday evening, whereupon one of the plane's engines dramatically caught on fire on the tarmac.

Passengers were swiftly forced to evacuate, including via wing and emergency slide, and could be seen running for safety through thick smoke with flames behind them.