A terrifying scene unfolded aboard an easyJet flight from London to Glasgow on Sunday when a man shouted bomb threats and political slogans before being subdued by fellow passengers.
The 41-year-old passenger aboard flight EZY609 from Luton Airport sparked panic when he began yelling that there was a bomb on board, demanding the plane stop, and shouting, “Death to America,” “Death to Trump,” and “Allahu Akbar,” according to the Daily Mail. The incident was captured in video footage that quickly circulated on social media.
Passengers described a chaotic and frightening few minutes as the man’s shouting escalated. Some nervously asked if he had anything dangerous in his bag or on his person. Tensions reached a breaking point when a man seated in row 21 rushed forward and tackled the suspect. Another passenger joined in, helping restrain him on the floor of the aisle. Others searched his belongings for weapons and took his wallet to help confirm his identity.
In the video, a visibly shaken woman could be heard crying during a phone call, while others questioned whether the suspect might be concealing explosives.
Flight attendants remained calm and assured passengers the plane would be landing soon. Upon arrival in Glasgow, police boarded the aircraft and arrested the man without incident. Video showed officers speaking calmly to the suspect as he lay on the cabin floor. “You’re calm now, are you going to be calm when I stand you up?” an officer asked. “I’m calm now,” the man replied.
When the suspect requested his phone and wallet, some passengers responded with disbelief and profanity.
Authorities confirmed that the man was arrested and charged, and is scheduled to appear in Paisley Sheriff Court. A spokesperson for easyJet said the crew acted in accordance with safety procedures and emphasized that the airline’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of its passengers and crew.
Police said the incident appears to be isolated. Counterterrorism officials are reviewing passenger-recorded video as part of an ongoing investigation.
