On a domestic flight from Leon, Mexico, chaos erupted as a passenger claimed to be under mortal threat.
In a dramatic turn of events, a man on a Volaris flight attempted to forcibly redirect the plane to the United States, claiming that criminals had kidnapped a relative. This alarming incident unfolded as the flight journeyed from Leon in Guanajuato state to Tijuana, a border city. As the aircraft took off, the passenger reportedly received a death threat warning him against reaching his destination in Tijuana.
Videos on social media captured the tense moment other passengers intervened, subduing the man as he lunged towards one of the aircraft’s doors. It seemed he might have been attempting to open it mid-flight, a perilous act had he succeeded. Fortunately, quick-thinking fellow passengers managed to wrestle him to the ground before any harm was done.
Guanajuato, a region long plagued by conflict between drug cartels, remains Mexico’s state with the highest homicide rate. The passenger’s fear reflects a grim reality for many caught in the crossfire of this ongoing violence.
Upon the plane’s diversion to Guadalajara, the country’s Public Safety Department disclosed that the man, identified only by his first name and age, 31, was handed over to National Guard officers. Meanwhile, the remaining passengers continued their original journey to Tijuana unscathed.
Volaris, the airline operating the flight, confirmed in a statement that their crew successfully detained the passenger and emphasized that all onboard were safe. They assured that they would seek to hold the individual accountable through legal channels, underlining the rare nature of such plane incidents in Mexico.
The country has witnessed few comparable cases. A notable incident in 2009 involved a Bolivian religious zealot briefly hijacking a plane from Cancun as it landed in Mexico City. In that case, like this one, all onboard emerged unharmed.
Thus, while the skies are generally safe and secure, this recent incident reminds us of the unpredictable nature of airline travel and the real-world dangers some passengers face.
Source: Apnews
