Engine problems force China Airlines plane to land in Australia's Cairns

BRISBANE, Australia -- A China Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Cairns Airport in Australia's Queensland due to engine failure, local media reported Friday.

The flight from Sydney to Taipei was diverted to Cairns after engine problems were detected over Cape York in Far North Queensland.

The Airbus A330 landed safely shortly after 3:00 am (local time) on Friday.

It is believed only one engine was working when the plane landed.

The largest airline in China's Taiwan said the 218 passengers of the flight are still in the airport and it was trying to make travel arrangements for the passengers with other carriers including Qantas, Jetstar and Cathay Pacific.

China Airlines said investigation into the incident is under way.