Turkish Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Malta, 4 escape aircraft
People watch a Turkish Airlines plane landing from a park next to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) following on Dec. 26, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (AFP Photo)
A Turkish Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating flight TK619 from Istanbul Airport (IST) to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK), made an emergency landing at Malta International Airport (MLA) on Jan. 1, 2025, after a passenger reportedly fell ill.
However, the situation escalated when four Moroccan passengers managed to escape the aircraft while it was still on the runway.
A Turkish aviation media outlet shared the moments when the passengers tried to escape.
Emergency landing following medical incident
According to local authorities, the flight crew requested an emergency landing in Malta after a Moroccan passenger reported feeling unwell.
The aircraft safely landed at 12:03 a.m. local time, and the passenger was immediately transferred to Mater Dei Hospital under police supervision.
Runway escape raises security concerns
Shortly after landing, four passengers reportedly exited the aircraft while it was still on the runway. Security forces managed to apprehend two individuals shortly after their escape, while efforts to locate the remaining two were ongoing.
A spokesperson from Malta’s police department confirmed that security forces, along with personnel from the Armed Forces of Malta, have launched a search operation in and around the airport premises.
Two Moroccan men who were arrested yesterday after escaping from a plane during an emergency landing, along with another Moroccan man who was being held under arrest at Mater Dei Hospital in connection with the same case, have been returned to their country. They were also issued with a prohibition order for Malta and the Schengen area.
Malta Police
Meanwhile, the police are continuing their search for two other individuals who escaped from the airport, with their passport photos being published with this post.
Authorities are investigating how the passengers managed to bypass standard security protocols and whether the medical emergency was part of a coordinated escape plan.
