VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The police in Malta have published a photo of two Moroccan nationals who escaped from a Turkish Airlines flight that was diverted to Malta following a medical emergency. The police said that he together with two men, aged 28 and 34, who were arrested after escaped from the aircraft were returned to Morocco. They were also banned from returning the Schengen area. Two other passengers remain on the run.
On New Year’s Day, a 28-year-old Moroccan on the flight from Istanbul to Marrakesh in Morocco, claimed that he was unwell prompting Turkish Airlines to request permission to land in Malta. Turkish Airlines flight TK619, was travelling from Istanbul to Marrakesh when the passenger reported feeling unwell just as the aircraft was approaching Sicily, prompting a diversion to Malta.
However, shortly after the plane landed and the crew were working to retrieve the sick passenger’s suitcase, four other Moroccan passengers escaped through the rear door.
The passenger who reported feeling ill was taken to Mater Dei hospital under arrest and has also been deported and issued with a travel ban, the police said.
The police urged the public to come forward with any information about the whereabouts of the missing two Moroccans, either through Facebook or by calling the Police Headquarters on 21 224001 / 119 or by going to the nearest police station and quote number 01/2025.
Meanwhile, video footage posted online by aviation-focused social media platform HavaSosyalMedya shows one of the men running away from the diverted plane, dashing across the apron to jump the airport’s security fence. Another person can be seen appearing to give chase before breaking off pursuit shortly before the end of the video, while the passenger capturing the footage can be heard exclaiming, “Oh my God” as he witnesses the escape attempt.
-photo Agenzia Fotogramma-
(ITALPRESS).
