US First Lady Melania Trump, pictured in July 2018, was on her way from Washington to Philadelphia when there was “a minor mechanical issue” with the airplane (SAUL LOEB)

Washington (AFP) – A plane carrying US First Lady Melania Trump was forced to turn back Wednesday after smoke appeared in the cabin, journalists on the flight said.

She was on her way from Washington to Philadelphia when there was “a minor mechanical issue,” according to her spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham.

“Everything is fine and everyone is safe,” Grisham said in a statement.

The airplane returned to Joint Base Andrews, an air force facility used by the White House outside Washington, DC.

CNN and other US networks said that reporters aboard the plane noticed smoke in the cabin and were told to hold wet towels over their faces if it got worse.

The smoke dissipated and the aircraft returned without further incident.

Trump was on her way to visit a Philadelphia hospital specializing in treatment of mothers with opioid use disorders and babies born with addictions to drugs they were exposed to while still in the womb.

She took a replacement plane to the event, which is part of her “Be Best” campaign focused on the health and well-being of children.

“There are few things harder than seeing a newborn suffering,” the first lady said, adding that she was “anxiously” working to “shine a light on this.”

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