Man was restrained by passengers and crew members of Shenzhen Airlines flight and taken into custody, the aviation authority said

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

A man attempted to set a fire on board a Chinese flight early on Sunday, but was restrained by passengers and crew and taken into custody, the aviation authority said.

It was the latest in a rash of dangerous incidents aboard Chinese flights, including passengers opening emergency exits and fights between pilots and crew.

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The attempted arson happened about 1am on Sunday aboard a Shenzhen Airlines flight from the city of Taizhou to Guangzhou, near Hong Kong, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said.

An investigation was under way but no other details were given.

The official broadcaster, CCTV, and other state media reported that the pilot issued a mayday call and the plane was guided into Guangzhou airport. Slides were deployed and 95 passengers and nine crew were evacuated. Two people were injured.

The incident appears to point to a serious breakdown in security at Taizhou airport. China bans the carrying of cigarette lighters and flammable substances, including spirits, on all flights.



Guangzhou airport police and Shenzhen Airlines had no additional information, including the man’s possible motivation.