Flickering lights caused panic on AUA’s OS18 flight from Mauritius to Vienna. The cause could not initially be determined, so the crew had to use a hand fire extinguisher. They returned across the Indian Ocean…
All was well in the world on Sunday morning for 303 holidaymakers from Austria and other EU countries. The flight departed as planned from the holiday paradise of Mauritius towards Vienna. After more than an hour, according to eyewitnesses, panic suddenly broke out in the back row. According to the flight crew, a light began to flicker and then went out completely. The AUA staff then sent all passengers in the back row five rows away and looked for clues in the Boeing 777.
“They often reached into the luggage compartment, probably to see if it was getting warm. After a few minutes, more and more crew members arrived, including a pilot, equipped with breathing masks and fire extinguishers,” a family father told the “Krone”. It was sprayed on several carry-on items in the back row of the overhead compartment, as well as on all openings nearby. The passengers were then told that the situation was under control and that the flight to Vienna could continue unhindered.
Loose contact detected at the airport
After about 30 minutes the turning point came: “Since the safety of the passengers is always the highest priority and it could not initially be ruled out whether it was an electrical problem or a defective electronic device in the storage compartment, it was decided to landed back in Mauritius, where the machine was immediately checked. “The technology has found a loose contact in an installed lamp,” explains AUA spokeswoman Yvonne Wachholder when asked by ‘Krone’.
The martyrdom of the local tourists continued happily after the “emergency landing”. When we arrived at the airport it was pure chaos. Only at the beginning of the evening did the stranded holidaymakers receive information about which hotel had been booked for them – after all, it is high season locally. Holidaymaker Mario S. traveled with his wife, three-year-old daughter and mother: “Luckily we were given priority. After an adventurous journey in the coach, with broken doors, no seat belts or luggage compartments, we arrived at the hotel. The four of us got a room with a double bed, I slept on the floor.”
Big regret for the AUA, the return flight has already started
For Austrian Airlines, the anger is understandable, but they emphasize that they are doing everything they can to provide the best possible care to affected passengers in such cases: “Austian Airlines sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers.”
The aircraft with flight number OS18 has now taken off from Mauritius to Vienna and is expected at Vienna-Schwechat Airport today at 8:30 PM local time.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
