Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Video Credit: CEN/MrElDiablo8
This is the moment a plane is evacuated before takeoff after a passenger suffered a panic attack when he saw smoke coming from one of the engines and yanked open an emergency exit.
The incident took place at the Mexico City International Airport in the central Mexican capital Mexico City on Wednesday (1st January), and the footage was later shared on social media.
According to reports, an American Delta Air Lines flight departing for New York in the US was taxiing on the runway when a passenger believed they saw smoke coming from an engine.
The unnamed passenger reportedly panicked and opened an emergency exit which activated the evacuation slide.
The other passengers on board the Boeing 757-232 were then evacuated from the plane.
An airline spokesperson told local media: “A passenger started a non-authorised evacuation when he opened the door on the left-wing. This activated the evacuation slide.
“There were no indications of abnormalities in the cabin while the engines were running.”
Video Credit: CEN/@Enel_Aire
A spokesperson for the airport confirmed that the evacuation slide was activated when the passenger suffered a panic attack, but admitted there had been “a little smoke” when the engines were first turned on.
In a statement, they said: “When the engines of the Boeing 757 were turned on, they released some smoke and one of the passengers panicked and activated the slide.”
Netizen ‘Fermin Koop’, who was reportedly one of the passengers on the flight, said on Twitter: “This was my first scare on a flight. Before taking off, the Delta plane’s engine began to smoke while we were still at the Mexican airport. Luckily, we were all okay.”
Before being evacuated, the passengers were reportedly kept on the plane for 45 minutes and some people needed treatment for anxiety.
Local media said the flight was delayed by eight hours and some passengers who changed their flight for the following day were offered accommodation.
It is unclear whether the incident is being investigated.
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