A flight attendant with long-haul carrier Emirates has been taken to hospital in Uganda after falling out of an open emergency door on a passenger plane that was parked on the tarmac.

Civil aviation authorities in Uganda said the incident happened at Entebbe International Airport.

They issued a statement saying the female flight attendant “unfortunately fell off” the Boeing 777 which was preparing to fly to Dubai.

An investigation is under way.

Emirates said in a statement that the flight attendant “unfortunately fell off from an open door while preparing the aircraft for boarding on flight EK730 from Entebbe”.

The airline added: “We are providing all possible support and care for the affected crew, and will extend our full co-operation to the authorities in their investigation.”