Bear goes berserk on a plane after breaking out of his cage in the cargo hold just before takeoff in Dubai
- Flight 123 had arrived in Dubai when the crews learned that the bear had escaped.
- Authorities scrambled an animal control specialist and the flight was delayed
A bear has gone berserk on a passenger plane 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 an Iraqi Airways plane flying between Baghdad International Airport and Dubai International Airport on August 4.
Flight 123 had reportedly arrived in Dubai and was scheduled to travel back to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, when crews learned the bear had escaped from its shipping crate, delaying the flight when authorities sent animal control specialists.
Now Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shayya’ Sabbar al Sudani has gotten into the dispute over who is responsible for the shocking incident and has ordered an investigation.
As a result, the flight back to the Iraqi capital was delayed for three hours and thirty minutes, and footage circulating on social media captures audio of the plane’s captain apologizing to passengers for the disruption to their journey.
A bear went berserk on a plane after it broke free from its cage in the cargo hold just before the plane took off from Dubai last week (pictured). Footage shows that one staff member even managed to pet the beast’s head despite the fact that the incident terrified the passengers.
The bear could be seen pacing around the plane’s cargo hold, but showed little sign of wanting to get out on its own.
Another video recorded by a ground crew member shows the bear wandering around inside the cargo hold of the 737 plane.
Footage shows that one staff member even managed to pet the beast’s head despite the fact that the incident terrified passengers and led to the severe delay.
Another clip appears to show disgruntled passengers complaining about the long delay. A man is seen standing impatiently between the seats and fanning himself with a piece of paper to keep cool, waiting for news.
Iraqi Airways apologized to its passengers, although it assured that it was not to blame for the animal’s escape.
The airline affirmed that the transport of the bear was carried out in accordance with the law and with the procedures and standards approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Iraqi Airways stated: ‘The management of the company apologizes to the travelers on the flight from Baghdad International Airport to Dubai Airport…for reasons beyond the control of the company, regarding a shipment (a bear) in the cargo hold.
“Upon arrival at Dubai airport, the animal escaped from the crate specified for shipment,” it added.
“The plane’s crew coordinated with the authority of the United Arab Emirates, who sent a specialized team to sedate the animal and remove it from the plane.
Another clip appears to show disgruntled passengers complaining about the long delay. A man is seen standing impatiently between the seats and fanning himself with a piece of paper to keep cool, waiting for news.
“After checking the plane and making sure there is no damage from this incident, the flight returned to Baghdad.”
It is not clear why the animal was being transported on the plane or who owns it.
Keeping wild animals as pets has become especially popular among Iraq’s wealthy, despite difficulties for authorities 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 on the city’s streets.
