Flight crew accidentally hits plane's 'hijack' button, panic ensues
Stories that begin with a distress call from an airplane don't often end happily, or with a spot of humor. When Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight SV872 sent up an alarm saying it had been hijacked as it approached its landing in Manila on Tuesday, the Philippines naturally responded with full mobilization; as soon as the plane touched down, it was immediately isolated. But as it turned out, there was no on-board attack. The flight crew had merely pushed the "hijack" button on accident, The Associated Press reports:
The 410 passengers on board, many of whom were returning from the annual hajj pilgrimage, were finally allowed to disembark when it became clear there was no danger.
Still, it's always better to be safe than sorry: Security has been upped in the Philippines surrounding Saudi Arabian Airlines after officials received intelligence of a possible threat last February.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
How strong are Hamas?
Today's Big Question Its numbers are 'notoriously difficult' to assess, but the Islamist group will offer 'lingering armed resistance for years to come'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Stay-at-home girlfriends: why Gen Z are rejecting 'girlboss' culture
Why Everyone's Talking About 'Soft girl' trend reflects disillusionment with the corporate ladder but has 'huge financial risks'
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Fixer of Trump's problems has become one of them'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published