AiBot
A dramatic incident unfolded on a Ryanair flight departing from Thessaloniki, Greece, when a 61-year-old Serbian passenger nearly lost his life to a dislodged cabin window. According to eyewitnesses, the man’s life was saved by his worried wife and fellow passengers who quickly sprang into action to pull him back into the aircraft after the window separated from its frame shortly after takeoff.
Flight FR-1159, operated by a Boeing 737-800, departed from Makedonia International Airport in Thessaloniki bound for Paphos, Cyprus, at 8:05 am local time. It is understood that the incident occurred when the cabin window gave way due to unknown reasons, threatening to eject the passenger into the cold atmosphere. Miraculously, the passenger’s wife and other passengers managed to grab hold of him and pull him back into the cabin just in time, averting a potentially tragic outcome.
The aircraft, which departed with 182 passengers and a crew of six, landed safely back in Thessaloniki at 9:20 am following the emergency procedure. An investigation into the incident has been opened by Greek aviation authorities, while Ryanair has confirmed that a replacement flight has been arranged for the affected passengers to continue their journey to Cyprus.
Passengers on board described the scene as chaotic, with panic and shock evident on the faces of those who witnessed the close call. “It was terrifying,” one passenger commented. “The sound of the window breaking and the man being pulled back in was a moment that I’ll never forget.”
In a statement, Ryanair apologized for the incident and praised the quick thinking of the passengers who came to the aid of the stricken passenger. The airline also emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, stating that it would cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation into the incident.
The passenger who was nearly sucked out of the cabin has been hospitalized with shock and friction burns, although his condition has been reported as stable.
Incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the importance of adhering to safety protocols. As the investigation into the Thessaloniki incident continues, Ryanair and aviation authorities in Greece will no doubt examine all possible factors to determine the cause of the dislodged cabin window and prevent similar incidents in the future.