AN ACCRINGTON woman who said she received burns while evacuating a plane that caught fire in Islamabad is suing the airline for damages.

Saiyea Bi, 25, said she had been on a return flight to Birmingham when one of the engines on the Pakistan International Airlines plane developed a major fault.

She said the plane was making its way down the runway when the pilot pulled the emergency brakes - avoiding a major accident by mere seconds.

Miss Bi said she was sat next to her sister Saika Khatoon when there was a big bang.

The plane began to fill with smoke as the its tyres set alight, she said.

She said: "It was horrific, everyone was screaming and shouting and trying to locate loved ones they were travelling with."

Passengers were made to leave by the emergency exits, she said.

Miss Bi said that both she and her sister suffered cuts, bruising and burns from touching the red hot body of the plane as they slid down the chute.

Miss Bi said: "We saw lots of people with burns and broken arms and legs. It was like a battle scene."

A total of 165 passengers and nine crew members were evacuated.

The sisters said they were treated at the airport and saw a doctor a few days later before eventually returning to the UK.

Since coming home Miss Bi said she had suffered anxiety attacks as well as the after effects of her physical injuries.

She expected contact from PIA to offer compensation for her ordeal.

But despite repeated attempts to contact the airline, she said no apology or offer of compensation had been forthcoming.

Passengers have legal protection under an international convention, which allows them to seek compensation in an English court rather than having to go through foreign legal systems.

Now the sisters have taken their case to Manchester solicitors, Pannone LLP.

Andrew Morton, a specialist in travel law at the firm, said: "To have experienced something as terrifying as this and suffering considerable physical and psychological injuries is bad enough, but to be ignored by the airline involved literally adds insult to injury.

"We will be seeking an explanation for their actions and compensation for our clients."

Pakistan International Airlines was unavailable for comment.

Earlier this week the a ban was lifted on PIA flying in the European Union.

It had been banned over safety concerns.