Qatar officials launched an investigation on Sunday after a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to London was forced to return to the airport and make an emergency landing after a fire was detected in the cabin, it was reported.
Passengers told the Doha News website a burning smell was detected about ten minutes after the Airbus 330 aircraft had taken off from Doha International Airport at around 12:30 on Sunday afternoon.
“There was a very very very strong smell of burning… Then the cabin crew ran very fast up the aisle touching every luggage cabin above our heads to feel if there was any heat, and they had fire extinguishers in their hands,” passenger Philippine de Croutte was quoted as saying by Doha News.
“The middle of the plane was starting to fill with smoke and the smell,” fellow passenger Katya Chong said, adding that cabin crew also donned smoke hoods and instructed passengers seated at the emergency exits about how to operate the emergency doors.
The captain then informed the passengers the aircraft would be returning to Doha to make an emergency landing. The aircraft was met by fire trucks and personnel when it landed in Doha.
The Gulf carrier tweeted passengers apologising for “the technical delay” and said all those booked on the flight “have been moved to a new aircraft.”
A Qatar Airways representative was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Arabian Business.
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