An Air Canada Express flight arriving from Montreal collided with a ground vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport early Monday, prompting an emergency response and a temporary halt in flight operations.

Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft struck a ground vehicle upon landing at the airport.

Following the incident, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for all aircraft at LaGuardia until 0530 GMT, citing an emergency situation and warning that the halt was highly likely to be extended.

In a separate notice to airmen, the FAA said operations at the airport could be impacted until 1800 GMT, without providing further details on the nature of the emergency, according to Reuters.

Firefighters responded to reports of the incident involving an aircraft and a vehicle on the runway, AFP reported, citing a spokesperson for the New York City Fire Department.

“The city fire department responded to a reported incident involving a plane and a vehicle on the runway," the spokesperson said in an email to AFP.

Unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show damage to the nose section of the aircraft.

Posts on social media described the situation as a possible “mass casualty incident," claiming that an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 carrying around 100 passengers collided with a fire truck on a taxiway near Runway 4.

Some posts alleged that five first responders were inside the fire truck and that several were critically injured, while others claimed multiple injuries and possible fatalities.

Another social media post suggested that flights were being diverted to nearby airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport.

However, none of these claims were independently verified, and officials have not yet confirmed any injuries or fatalities.

Authorities are expected to release further details as the situation develops.

Source: News18