Bear Breaks Free Onboard Aircraft
After the animal went out from its cage in the plane's cargo hold, the flight was delayed.
Passengers at Dubai International Airport had to wait longer than expected because a bear had escaped from the cargo hold of an Iraqi plane. Baghdad-bound flight of Iraqi Airways allegedly lost an hour due to the mishap. As the bear was being sedated and taken off the aircraft, passengers were requested to exit.
Air Iraq denied any responsibility for the bear's release. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates coordinated with the plane's personnel to send in experts to anaesthetize and capture the animal.
The plane's captain could be seen in a video footage that went viral on Friday apologizing to passengers for the flight delay caused by the bear's breakout from its container in the cargo hold.
On Saturday, Iraqi Airways said that the bear's transportation had been completed in conformity with all applicable laws and IATA requirements.
The jet was its route to Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. According to the airline, the bear was scheduled to make the trip from Baghdad to Dubai. The video footage that has been going viral on social media, however, suggests different, with a voice indicating that the flight to Baghdad has been delayed by an hour and that travellers have been ordered to exit until the problem is fixed.
The Dubai International Airport, which is the busiest hub in the world in terms of international passenger traffic, chose not to respond on media inquiries abut the situation. On Sunday, an official with Iraqi Airways verified the rumour that the bear was on its way to the Iraqi capital. The officer refused to reveal the identity of the pet's keeper.
Baghdad's rich elite has popularized the practice of keeping wild predators as pets in Iraq. It has been difficult for authorities to enforce laws meant to save wildlife. Police in Baghdad have previously requested the public's help in reporting instances of wild animals being let into the city or sold as exotic meats to restaurants.
The prime minister of Iraq has requested a probe into the incident's origin.
Source: euronews.com