Plane carrying Charedi pilgrims forced into emergency landing
Watch the moment distraught passengers pull on oxygen masks during emergency descent on Titan Airways flight.
Jewish pilgrims have described their shock after their charter flight from London was forced into an emergency landing earlier today.
One passenger described how she felt the “fragility of human life” as the pilot announced an emergency descent during the flight headed for the Polish city of Rzeszow.
She was one of 262 passengers and 10 crew members who were left shaken but unhurt after the cabin suddenly depressurised without warning, forcing the plane into an emergency landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport at around 10am.
Shocked passengers were forced to pull on oxygen masks to help them breathe when the warning sirens sounded.
The female passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her fear but said: “I thank God and the pilot for a smooth and safe descent”.
The passengers were headed to the tombstone of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk to pray for success and happiness. Each year around 10,000 Jewish pilgrims visit the site from all over the world, including Israel and the United States.
A spokesman for Titan Airways told The Sun Online: “Whilst such events are rare, all Titan airways crew undergo regular rigorous training in accordance with EU EASA regulations to ensure they manage such situations successfully.”
“Titan Airways are now working with the passengers on their further travel plans.”
Following the event, all passengers were safely returned to London.
Singing ???? #AniManmim
A plane on the way back from Poland full of yiden Lost oxygen 38,000 feet above water plane landed safety in Amsterdam pic.twitter.com/p6VMUEi0em— @Hiemishe (@hiemishe) March 19, 2017
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
