Saudi Air aircraft evacuation turns into stampede

Airline Industry Information, Sept 9, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The evacuation of a Saudi Air aircraft after a bomb threat turned into a stampede that killed one and injured many.

The aircraft, Saudi Air flight SV 781, which carried 452 passengers and 22 crew, was taxiing on the runway in Sri Lanka to take off for Riyadh and Jeddah when the pilot received a call from the air traffic control tower regarding a bomb threat that had been phoned in. After the call the aircraft was halted and the emergency doors opened.

According to air force and hospital officials the evacuation of the aircraft turned into a stampede, killing a woman. The woman reportedly died after hitting her head on the tarmac when she was sliding down an emergency chute. She was a Muslim and dressed in the traditional gown and head scarf, according to D. Atthanayake, the airport's duty manager.

Ajantha de Silva, an air force spokesman, said that at least 20 were admitted to local hospitals while 75 other passengers received minor injuries such as bruises, The Associated Press reported.

The aircraft was later cleared, but the luggage was being run through X-ray machines. De Silva said that the threat was probably a hoax.

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