MALTA- Several passengers evacuated from a Turkish Airlines (TK) plane after an emergency landing at Malta Luqa International Airport (MLA) on Wednesday afternoon (January 1, 2025).
The unexpected landing occurred after the captain asked clearance for an unwell Moroccan passenger.
Turkish Airlines Passengers Escape
According to FlightRadar24, Turkish Airlines flight TK619 to Marrakesh (RAK) departed Istanbul (IST) at 8:56 AM UTC. After flying for around two hours, the plane diverted to Malta and landed at 11:02 AM UTC. The flight was flown by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as TC-LCI.
The escape occurred while the airplane was still on the runway, resulting in an urgent security response. At 1:45 PM, police received notification and began a comprehensive search operation with Armed Forces of Malta soldiers throughout the airport grounds and neighboring regions.
The Moroccan passenger whose medical condition necessitated the emergency landing remains in police custody at Mater Dei Hospital. Authorities continue to search for the runaway passengers across the airport’s perimeter.
The incident triggered Malta’s airport security systems, prompting law enforcement to launch a coordinated manhunt. Police keep an active presence in the area while examining the circumstances behind the unlawful passenger exit.
Similar Incidents
In May 2024, seventeen Moroccan passengers attempted to flee Rome’s Fiumicino airport after an emergency landing on a flight from Istanbul to Tangier.
A passenger suffered a heart attack, prompting the diversion. After landing, Italian security officers intercepted the group and conducted a thorough passenger verification before allowing the flight to continue to Tangier.
This episode is similar to earlier escape attempts by Moroccan passengers on emergency landings at European airports. In July 2022, twenty-eight Moroccan passengers attempted to flee following an emergency landing in Barcelona. A successful escape happened in November 2021 at Palma de Mallorca airport, when passengers abandoned a Casablanca-Istanbul flight.
In December 2022, similar incident occurred at Barcelona’s Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. A Pegasus Airlines (PC) flight from Casablanca to Istanbul sought an emergency landing for a passenger who allegedly simulated labor.
During the medical evacuation, twenty-seven passengers attempted an unlawful exit. Thirteen people were captured by police, while fourteen escaped and are still missing.
The repeated pattern of these incidents has spurred increased security measures at European airports that handle emergency landings. Law enforcement authorities remain vigilant during medical diversions, notably on routes connecting North Africa and Turkey.