Moment firefighters in hazmat suits board plane from London after emergency landing causes ‘panic’
Passengers on a British Airways flight were left 'panicked' after firefighters in hazmat suits boarded the plane following an emergency landing.
Travelling is often a stressful experience due to the many things we need to remember before getting to the airport but once you're on board, it's usually safe to relax.
Although some folks get turned away at airport security due to passport issues, or aren't let into their desired destination because of their tattoos, you rarely see a plane turn around in mid-air because of an emergency.
But that's exactly what happened on a flight from London Gatwick to Egypt in December last year, with a British mum explaining the 'pandemonium' that unfolded as it made an emergency landing in Venice, Italy.
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Melanie Wells was heading on an all-inclusive holiday with her 19-year-old daughter but started to feel ill shortly after boarding the flight, something she initially put down to the 'extreme temperatures' on board.
But not long after and other travellers had fallen 'seriously ill', with some staff members reportedly collapsing in the aisle.
Melanie, who lives in Eastbourne, East Sussex, explained: "I'd really pushed the boat out. I hadn't been very well so treated me and my daughter to an ultra-high-end all-inclusive in Sharm El Sheikh.
"I hadn't been away for ages, it was definitely much-needed. When we boarded, the temperature was so extreme that I started to feel unwell. It was supersonically hot.
"I ended up getting a really bad headache and put it down to the heat. About an hour and a half in the air, crew members suddenly began running down the aisle backwards and forwards. I didn't know what was going on.
"There was one mum whose eyes rolled into the back of her head. The crew looking after them had actually collapsed because of the fumes. About six people fell seriously ill on board while we were in the air.
"I felt very unwell. I felt nauseous and had a headache. At the time I put it down to stress but now looking back I think it was fumes."
Melanie went on to explain how, despite 'little information' from those in charge, people in hazmat suits came onto the plane after it landed in Venice, with ambulances and fire engines also surrounding the aircraft.
The 61-year-old added: "We were told nothing the whole time. We landed and the whole plane was surrounded by police, ambulances, fire services.
"And then men in hazmat suits with full breathing apparatus came on board with what I was assume were [testing devices], running them over the stewards and stewardesses then doing it to the passengers affected.
"I was absolutely terrified - I was out of my mind with worry, I was really fearful. It was pandemonium. The staff were in pure panic mode.
"I was thinking, have we all been inhaling toxic fumes? At no point did the captain give us any information."
After an eight-hour wait, the plane returned to London before eventually arriving in Egypt the following morning.
Melanie said she was offered £2,130 in compensation for the cancelled flight, meal expenses and issues faced, but she is chasing another £500 after missing out on the first night of her accommodation.
In a statement, British Airways confirmed the plane was diverted due to a technical issue and that no fumes were found on board.
A spokesperson for the airline said: "The safety of our customers and colleagues is always our top priority and our aircraft diverted as a precaution because of a technical issue.
"We've apologised to our customers for their experience and have offered compensation accordingly."
LADbible has contacted British Airways for further comment.
Topics: Travel
James Moorhouse