Bird Strike Forces Emergency Landing on Tangier-Paris Flight, Passengers Panic

Nothing went as planned for the passengers on the flight that was supposed to connect Tangier to Paris on Friday, February 9. The plane’s engine, which had collided with a bird, broke down just after takeoff from Ibn Battouta airport, reports the daily Al Akhbar. In addition to this incident, the strong gusts of wind in Tangier disrupted the aircraft whose engine was damaged. In videos posted on social media, some passengers are seen unconscious and others in panic.

The passengers were informed of the nature of this incident just after takeoff and of the forced landing at Rabat-Salé airport so that another solution could be found to transport them to Paris. After landing at Rabat-Salé airport, the passengers were informed that another plane was waiting for them at Fès airport to take them to Paris. However, once in the bus, they were surprised to find that the vehicle was heading towards Tangier.

Angry, the passengers then tried to prevent the bus driver from taking this route. This led to an altercation. The royal gendarmerie services then intervened to calm the spirits. The passengers finally agreed to be transported to Tangier airport. Upon arrival, another unpleasant surprise: the airport gates were closed. It was not until the next day that the airline that had chartered the flight managed to get them to board a plane for Paris.