A commercial aircraft operated by WestJet made a hazardous landing at Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten on Sunday, forcing the facility to close for the remainder of the day and leaving passengers stranded. The incident involved a flight from Toronto carrying 164 people, with three individuals undergoing medical evaluations “out of an abundance of caution,” according to airport officials.

The plane, a Boeing 737-800 registered as C-GWSR, experienced a collapsed right landing gear upon touchdown, prompting emergency services to respond. The runway remained closed as authorities collaborated with the local fire department and Civil Aviation Authority to remove the aircraft safely. Passengers, including at least one Albertan, faced delays and cancellations, with no immediate means of departure.

St. Maarten Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina emphasized the priority of traveler safety, stating, “The safety and security of travellers, our aviation personnel and the general public remain our highest priority.” Meanwhile, Canada’s Transportation Safety Board announced an investigation into the incident, which occurred during a routine flight from Toronto to Sint Maarten.

The airport urged affected passengers and families to contact WestJet directly for further information. Sint Maarten, a Caribbean destination known for its tropical appeal, is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and shares the island of Saint Martin with a French-administered northern region.