55 victims of Manchester air disaster remembered

Fifty-five people died when a Corfu-bound British Airtours Boeing 737 caught fire as it was speeding down the runway on August 22, 1985.

Family and friends of those killed as well as passengers who survived were also invited to attend a private ceremony at the airport later.

The aircraft was travelling at 140mph when the port engine exploded and fire spread to the main body of the plane. The captain managed to abort the take-off and turn off the runway towards the airport’s fire station, but the change of direction meant flames then spread to the rear of the aircraft.

There were 131 passengers and six crew on board when the fire broke out. Two crew members and 53 passengers died, with most overcome as a result of breathing in smoke.

The disaster became a benchmark for the aero industry and the experience led to a series of safety improvements.