UK-bound Monarch Airlines plane makes dramatic emergency landing in Canary Islands ‘after passenger sets themselves ON FIRE and tries to burn stewardesses face’
The pilot turned the plane back to Tenerife where police were waiting for the 'disruptive' passenger
A HOLIDAY jet was diverted and forced to land after a passenger set fire to his OWN HANDS using a lighter before 'trying to burn a stewardess' face'.
Horrified passengers on the Monarch Airlines flight from Tenerife to Birmingham, were returned to the Canary Islands where emergency services were waiting.
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The man also tried to burn an air stewardess' face, ITV has reported.
A passenger on the flight said they had been unable to disembark for several hours.
She told ITV: "After taking off at 11.20am this morning, a passenger was setting fire to his own hands, so the stewardess asked the passenger for the lighter for the duration of the flight.
"He refused and attempted to light the lighter in her face. This information was forwarded to the pilot who decided to divert back to Tenerife South airport where the man was arrested."
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Other passengers on the flight, which first left Tenerife on Thursday morning, faced a long delay and were flown to Portugal before returning to the UK.
Monarch said: "Monarch can confirm that two passengers were offloaded on board Monarch flight ZB933 from Tenerife to Birmingham on 27 October 2016 due to disruptive behaviour.
"The flight had departed for Birmingham but diverted back to Tenerife airport where a passenger was subsequently arrested upon arrival.
"Due to crew operating hours expiring the flight is now positioning to Faro, Portugal where a new crew will be available for the return to Birmingham. Customers will be provided with refreshment vouchers upon arrival in Faro.
"Monarch takes a zero tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour on board all of our flights. The safety and security of our passengers, crew and aircraft is our absolute priority."
Earlier today a search for an “unidentified aircraft” reported to have crashed into the sea off the coast of Yangon, Myanmar was been called off.
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