A Ryanair flight from Morocco to the UK was thrown into chaos and met by a full-scale police response after two passengers reportedly engaged in a bizarre act of document destruction mid-air.
The incident occurred on a flight travelling from Tangier to London Stansted. According to reports, the two men, whose identities have not been released, began chewing and swallowing parts of their own passports while the aircraft was in flight.
Emergency Landing and Police Standby
The alarming behaviour prompted the crew to declare an emergency. Instead of continuing to its intended destination, the pilot diverted the plane to Manchester Airport, where a significant security operation was waiting.
Armed police and emergency vehicles were spotted on the tarmac, ready to intercept the aircraft upon its unscheduled landing. The situation was treated with extreme seriousness due to the potential security implications.
Chaotic Scenes on the Tarmac
Passengers described tense and confusing scenes. "It was all very unsettling," one traveller recounted. "We were told we were landing in Manchester for a security issue, and then we saw all the police. You don't expect to see that when you're coming home from holiday."
The two men were subsequently arrested by police on suspicion of breaching aviation security laws. They were taken into custody for questioning, while the remaining passengers faced significant delays as authorities conducted necessary checks.
Investigation Underway
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police confirmed they attended the incident. An investigation is now underway to determine the motive behind the men's highly unusual actions.
Ryanair issued a standard statement, noting that the flight had been diverted and that customers were being cared for, but deferred all further questions to the relevant police authorities.
This strange event highlights the complex and unpredictable nature of aviation security, where even the most peculiar actions can trigger a major operational response.
