LONDON, June 18 (Mirror) - A British Airways plane collapsed onto the tarmac at Heathrow Airport as its nose toppled forward.

The Boeing 787's nose gear appeared to have collapsed at a stand near one of the west London airport's terminals.

The incident happened while the aircraft was parked.

A British Airways spokesperson said: "A freighter aircraft has been damaged while stationary on stand.

"As a freighter only aircraft there were no passengers on board.

"Safety is always our highest priority and we are investigating the matter."

Photographs shared online appeared to show the aircraft with the nose toppled towards the ground.

Images show the aircraft, believed to be a Boeing 787, surrounded by more than a dozen emergency services vehicles, including police, fire brigade vehicles and ambulances.

The incident is not affecting other flights at Heathrow.

Despite initial reports of delays, it is now understood there have been no delays or cancellations as a result of the incident.

Aerohub News reported the plane's "nose gear collapse" earlier this morning.

They tweeted: "An unidentified (at present) British Airways Boeing 787 has suffered a nose gear collapse at London Heathrow Airport this morning

"Extent of the damage is currently unknown.

"Further details will be reported once available."