'We're just happy to be alive': Qantas grounds its entire superjumbo fleet after engine on London to Sydney jet 'explodes' in mid-air with 459 on board

The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing as the 459 people on board, many of whom were British, braced themselves for the worst.

They eventually landed safely in Singapore where they have been offered counselling. Qantas has grounded its six-strong superjumbo fleet while checks are carried out.

Destroyed: The engine of the Qantas airline appears to have exploded and the plane then made an emergency landing in Singapore

Hose it down: Fire engines spray gallons of water over the plane's engine

Flight QF32 had taken off from Singapore on its way to Sydney when the drama occurred, forcing the crew to fly back to Changi Airport, where the damage to the number two engine on the left wing could be seen.

Six fire engines swarmed around the double-decker aircraft when it landed as a local reporter said he could see smoke still coming from the engine.

The engine closest to the fuselage on the left wing had visible burn marks and was missing a section of plate that would have been painted with the red kangaroo logo of the airline. The upper part of the left wing also appeared to have suffered some damage.