Man tries to open emergency exit on flight at Varanasi airport; arrested

A man aboard an Akasa Air flight from Varanasi to Mumbai was detained after he tried to open the plane's emergency exit while it was taxiing for takeoff

A passenger on an Akasa Air flight from Varanasi to Mumbai was detained after attempting to open the aircraft’s emergency exit before takeoff, news agency PTI reported on Tuesday.

 

The incident occurred on flight QP 1497, scheduled to depart for Mumbai at 6:45 pm on Monday from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi. Police said the passenger, identified as Sujit Singh, a resident of Gaura Badshahpur in Jaunpur district, tried to open the emergency exit while the aircraft was taxiing toward the runway.

 

After being alerted by the cabin crew, the pilot informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) and brought the aircraft back to the apron. All passengers were deboarded as a precaution while airport security intervened.   A spokesperson from Akasa Air said, "A passenger on flight QP 1497, scheduled to operate from Varanasi to Mumbai on November 3, attempted to open an emergency exit door cover without authorisation while the aircraft was still stationary at the parking bay."  "The individual was identified, and in line with standard operating protocols, was offloaded and handed over to the relevant authorities. All passengers and crew are safe," the spokesperson further said. 

     

 

‘Acted out of curiosity’, says police

 

According to Phoolpur Station House Officer (SHO) Praveen Kumar Singh, the detained passenger told investigators that he tried to open the exit “out of curiosity". The police said Sujit Singh has been booked under relevant sections for his actions.

 

Flight resumes after delay

 

Following security checks and clearance, the flight departed for Mumbai around 9 pm. No passengers were harmed during the incident, officials confirmed.

 

(With agency inputs)