Panic Erupts at Mallorca Airport: 18 Injured Following False Alarm

Palma de Mallorca, Spain - Chaotic scenes unfolded at Son Sant Joan Airport when passengers aboard a Ryanair flight panicked and evacuated the aircraft, with some jumping from the wings. The incident, triggered by a fire alarm, resulted in 18 individuals sustaining injuries, leading to a significant emergency response.

The event occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday, where the usual excitement of vacations was replaced by fear and confusion. Initial reports suggested a fire on board, prompting the airport's emergency services to spring into action.

According to Ryanair, the flight was preparing to depart for Manchester when a warning signal indicating a potential fire was activated in the cockpit. This led to the immediate abandonment of the takeoff. As a precaution, the airport's fire brigade rushed to the scene, ready to handle any possible fire threat.

Passengers were instructed to exit the plane using inflatable slides and were escorted back to the terminal. However, the evacuation process was far from orderly. Disturbing footage surfaced, showing individuals leaping from the wings of the aircraft at heights of 3 to 4 meters in a state of panic. Eyewitness accounts described the atmosphere as chaotic, with people fleeing in disarray.

Medical assistance was promptly called for, and a total of 18 passengers were reported injured. While most injuries were minor, including twists and sprains, six individuals required hospitalization. Three were taken to Clinica Rotger, and another three were transported to Hospital Palmaplanas for further evaluation and treatment.

Fortunately, the initial fears about a fire were unfounded. Ryanair confirmed that the incident was a false alarm, a fact later corroborated by the Spanish Guardia Civil, who reported no evidence of smoke or flames on board the aircraft. While this revelation provided a sense of relief, investigations are ongoing to ascertain the specifics surrounding the alarm.

For those who were able to continue their journey, a replacement aircraft was arranged, which took off for Manchester early Saturday morning.