Virgin Australia Boeing 737 MAX 8 Diverted Due To Engine Fire

Australia-bound passengers onboard a flight departing Queenstown International Airport (ZQN) have been diverted to Invercargill Airport after the flight allegedly encountered an airstrike on departure, leading to reports of flames being seen from the engine. VA148 has since landed safely at the southernmost controlled airport in the commonwealth (Invercargill), and there have been no reports of injuries onboard. The aircraft is a ten-year-old Boeing 737 NG, registration VH-YIV, serial number 40698.