A flight carrying British passengers from Turkey to Manchester became a scene of chaos and fear after a violent gang brawl broke out on board, forcing it to make an emergency landing in Brussels yesterday evening (Thursday).
Video clips circulating showed the shocking moment passengers exchanged punches and struggled in the aisle of the plane as passengers screamed and some intervened to break up the fight. The chaos quickly spread throughout the plane, leaving many families and elderly people in an atmosphere of panic and confusion.
Disagreements regarding the performance of music
Details of the incident date back to Jet2 Airways flight LS896, which was arriving in Manchester, England from Antalya, Turkey. A fight broke out in the plane’s cabin during the flight. What started as an argument over playing loud music quickly escalated after one passenger tried to grab another’s phone, leading to fistfights and fighting in the main aisle. Chaos quickly spread throughout the plane due to the screams of passengers and the fear of families, children, and elderly people who were in the midst of the fighting.
Blood and teeth on the floor
According to media reports, witnesses described the scene as violent and unprecedented, saying there were blood stains on the seats and teeth scattered on the floor of the plane as a result of the crash. One passenger said: “At one point the situation became completely physical. People were scared and nervous and the atmosphere turned into complete chaos.”
Passengers said tensions started when one passenger tried to take another passenger’s cellphone, and the situation quickly escalated. Passengers also claimed that the incident erupted when one of the detainees was extremely intoxicated and made racist remarks, before getting into an argument with a flight attendant over a cigarette.
Police intervention and arrest
After an emergency landing in Brussels, police boarded the plane and detained two people in connection with the accident. After addressing the incident, the plane resumed flying to Manchester.
Meanwhile, airline Jet2 described the actions of those involved as “shameful” and stressed that all those involved in the violence will be banned from flying on its flights for life.
pilot certificate
After the situation stabilized, the plane’s pilot said in a message to passengers that he had only made an emergency landing a limited number of times during his 30 years of flying, adding that it was the first time he had witnessed such a large-scale violent incident on board.
Some passengers praised the reaction of passengers who intervened to bring the situation under control, as well as the actions of flight attendants who remained calm and professional despite the difficult situation.
