Dramatic footage has emerged showing the moment cabin crew and passengers on an Emirates flight to London were forced to restrain a disruptive traveller after he allegedly attempted to open an aircraft door mid-flight.
The shocking incident, which occurred on flight EK007 from Dubai to London Heathrow, caused panic onboard and forced the pilot to make an emergency diversion to a nearby airport.
In the viral video, shared across social media, several people can be seen holding down the agitated male passenger on the floor of the aircraft as he struggles violently. Shouts and cries can be heard throughout the cabin as the situation unfolds.
Emergency Diversion to Istanbul
The aircraft, an Airbus A380 carrying hundreds of passengers, was compelled to make an unscheduled landing at Istanbul Airport following the alarming disturbance. Turkish security forces subsequently boarded the plane to remove the disruptive individual.
An Emirates spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: "Emirates can confirm that flight EK007 from Dubai to London on 2 February was diverted to Istanbul due to a disruptive passenger onboard. The aircraft landed safely and the passenger was offloaded. The safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance and will not be compromised."
Passenger Reactions and Aftermath
Passengers described scenes of chaos and fear during the ordeal. One traveller recounted hearing the man shouting before he made a move towards the aircraft door, triggering the swift response from the crew.
The incident highlights the challenging situations flight crews are trained to handle and the severe consequences of unruly behaviour onboard aircraft, which is treated as a serious criminal offence.
The flight continued its journey to London Heathrow after a significant delay, leaving many passengers shaken by the unexpected events thousands of feet in the air.
