PETALING JAYA: An ‘emergency incident’ at Sydney International Airport is now in the hands of authorities as the Australian Federal Police have responded after a man on board a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight threatened staff and passengers on the KL bound flight.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, flight MH122, travelling from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur had departed Sydney Airport at 1:06pm but was forced to turn back while over the north-west of NSW, and landed at the airport at 3:47pm.
The man was seen and heard shouting, “My name is Mohammed, slave of Allah,” the man told the staff. “Are you a slave of Allah? Are you? Say it! Say it! Are you a slave of Allah?”
Social media posts saw the man who was holding a bag to his chest yelling at cabin crew and passengers in an aisle of the plane.
One passenger recalls the situation as ‘embarrassing’ as the cabin crew are seen trying their best to speak with the man and get him off the plane.
Passengers were also seen moving away from the man. It has been reported that passengers have been told by airport security that they will soon be able to disembark the plane after security checks are complete.
Malaysia Airlines responded in a statement saying: “In the interests of safety, the commander of the flight made the decision to return to Sydney.
“The flight, carrying 194 passengers and five crew onboard, landed safely at 3.47pm hours.
“The safety and comfort of our crew and passengers are of upmost importance to Malaysia Airlines.”
Meanwhile, an Australian Federal Police spokesperson said: “We’re responding to an emergency incident at Sydney International Airport, and an update will be provided (later).”
A spokesperson from Sydney Airport said that the airport is currently supporting emergency agencies in the management of an incident at the airport.
“The airport is operational with flights arriving and departing. Passengers are encouraged to check directly with their airline regarding the status of their flight.”
