A false fire alarm caused 18 injuries last night on a Ryanair Boeing 737 while it was half an hour after midnight on one of the runways of Palma de Mallorca airport, in the Balearic Islands.

Ryanair itself announced: "The flight from Palma to Manchester was aborted due to a false fire alarm signaled by a warning light. Passengers were evacuated using inflatable slides and returned to the terminal. During the evacuation, a small number of passengers suffered minor injuries (sprains to the ankle, etc.) and the crew requested immediate medical assistance."

"To minimise disruption to passengers," the Irish airline said, " we quickly arranged for a replacement aircraft to operate this flight, which departed Palma at 7:05 this morning. We sincerely apologise to the passengers involved for any inconvenience caused."

At least 18 passengers suffered minor injuries in the escape, six of whom were taken to hospital, according to rescue service sources reported by the local press, Cronica Balear.

Two ambulances for advanced life support, two more for basic life support and numerous teams of firefighters and civil guard officers were dispatched to the scene.

(Online Union)

© Riproduzione riservata