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Unruly passenger tries to make way to cockpit on flight from Dubai

Emirates crew restrained the male passenger after he tried to make his way to the plane’s cockpit on Sunday.

An unruly passenger on board an Emirates flight from Dubai to Stockholm was arrested by police officials in Stockholm after the flight landed safely. Emirates crew restrained the male passenger after he tried to make his way to the plane’s cockpit on Sunday.

An Emirates spokesperson said: “Emirates can confirm that on February 2, an incident occurred during flight EK157 from Dubai to Stockholm, where a male passenger started shouting and left his seat. He ignored the crew’s instruction to remain seated, and made his way towards the cockpit. He was then restrained by the cabin crew and he was calm for the rest of the flight. Upon arrival at Stockholm, the passenger was met by police.”

Stockholm police spokesman Albin Naverberg said the crew on board handcuffed the man during the flight and handed him over to police when the plane landed. Naverberg said the police had detained the man on suspicion of preparing aircraft sabotage after interviewing the plane’s crew.

Swedish tabloid Expressen reported the man had been running through the plane, screaming he had a bomb, about an hour after the departure from Dubai.

Naverberg said police had no details of any explosives and declined to comment further. Emirates reiterated its commitment to safety and assured passengers their wellbeing would not be compromised. “As the matter is now under police investigation, Emirates cannot comment further on the incident,” added the Emirates spokesperson.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com

(with inputs from AP)

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