Bear runs amok on a plane after escaping from his cage in the cargo hold just before takeoff in Dubai
- Flight 123 had arrived in Dubai when the crew learned that the bear had escaped
- Authorities called in an animal control specialist and the flight was delayed
A bear ran amok on a passenger jet after it broke free from its cage in the cargo hold just before the plane took off from Dubai last week.
Terrified passengers had to be evacuated after the animal escaped on August 4 aboard an Iraqi Airways plane between Baghdad International Airport and Dubai International Airport.
Flight 123 had reportedly arrived in Dubai and was due to travel back to Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, when crews learned the bear had broken out of its shipping crate – delaying the flight as authorities sent animal control specialists.
Now Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shayya’ Sabbar al Sudani has entered the dispute over who is responsible for the shocking incident and has ordered an investigation.
The return flight to the Iraqi capital was delayed by three hours and thirty minutes as a result, with images circulating on social media capturing audio of the plane’s captain apologizing to passengers for the disruption to their journey.
A bear ran amok on a plane after it escaped from its cage in the cargo hold just before the plane took off from Dubai last week (pictured). Footage shows an employee even managing to pet the animal on the head, despite the incident terrifying passengers
The bear was seen pacing the plane’s cargo hold, but showed little sign of wanting to get out on its own
Another video, recorded by a member of the ground crew, shows the bear roaming the cargo hold of the 737 plane.
The footage shows that an employee even managed to pet the animal on the head, despite the incident terrifying the passengers and causing the serious delay.
Another clip appears to show dissatisfied passengers complaining about the lengthy delay. A man is seen impatiently standing between the seats, fanning himself with a piece of paper to keep cool, waiting for news.
Iraqi Airways apologized to its passengers, although it claimed it was not responsible for the animal’s escape.
The airline claimed that the bear was transported in accordance with the law and with procedures and standards approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Iraqi Airways stated: “The company’s administration apologizes to the travelers on the flight from Baghdad International Airport to Dubai Airport…for reasons beyond the company’s control, regarding a shipment (a bear) in the cargo hold.
“Upon arrival at Dubai airport, the animal escaped from the box specified for shipment,” it added.
The flight crew coordinated with the UAE authority, which sent a specialist team to sedate the animal and remove it from the aircraft.
Another clip appears to show dissatisfied passengers complaining about the lengthy delay. A man is seen impatiently standing between the seats, fanning himself with a piece of paper to keep cool, waiting for news
“After checking the plane and making sure there was no damage from this incident, the plane returned to Baghdad.”
It is unclear why the animal was transported on the plane or who owns it.
Keeping wild animals as pets has become especially popular among the wealthy in Iraq, despite the authorities’ struggle to enforce legal ways to protect them.
In the past, Baghdad police have called on citizens to help authorities prevent dangerous animals from being released onto the city’s streets.