A bear being transported on a plane caused chaos after the animal broke free from its crate.
Terrified passengers had to be evacuated during the escape of the bear in the cargo hold aboard an Iraqi Airways plane flying between Baghdad International Airport and Dubai International Airport on 4th August.
Flight 123 had reportedly arrived in Dubai and was set to travel back to Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, when crews learned that the bear had escaped from its shipping crate.
A specialised team was sent by United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities to sedate the animal and remove it from the aircraft.
A return flight from Dubai to the Iraqi capital was delayed three hours and thirty minutes as a result.
A video recorded by a ground crew member shows the bear wandering within the cargo hold of a 737 aeroplane.
One staff member even managed to pet its head despite the incident terrifying passengers and causing an hours-long delay.
Another piece of footage appears to show disgruntled passengers complaining about the lengthy delay.
One man is seen standing between the seats and fanning himself with a piece of paper to keep cool.
Iraqi Airways apologised to its passengers, although it claimed it was not to blame for the animal’s escape.
The airline claimed the bear’s transport was carried out in accordance with the law and with procedures and standards approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Iraqi Airways stated: “The administration of the company apologizes to the travellers of the flight from Baghdad International Airport to Dubai Airport… for reasons beyond the control of the company, regarding a shipment [a bear] in the cargo hold.
“Upon arrival at Dubai Airport, the animal escaped the crate specified for its shipment.”
“The plane crew coordinated with UAE’s authority who sent a specialised team to sedate the animal and take it off the plane.
“After checking the plane and making sure there is no damage from this incident, the flight returned to Baghdad.”
It is unclear why the animal was being transported on the plane or who its owner is.
The prime minister of Iraq has reportedly ordered an investigation into how the bear escaped from its crate.
Keeping wild animals as pets has become especially popular among the wealthy in Iraq, despite authorities’ struggles to enforce legal ways to protect them.
