Sigma Live

Brawl on Flight to Manchester Forces Emergency Landing

Published February 13, 2026, 17:16
Brawl on Flight to Manchester Forces Emergency Landing

A serious incident of violence occurred on a Jet2 flight from Turkey to Manchester, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in Brussels. The incident began with an argument between passengers, which escalated into a violent brawl with punches and shouting, causing panic among the other travelers. Eyewitnesses reported that one of those involved had consumed a large amount of alcohol and had made racist remarks before the start of the fight. The situation was so severe that the pilot decided to divert the aircraft to ensure the safety of the passengers. Upon landing in Brussels, police arrested two individuals involved in the incident. Passengers described scenes of chaos, with blood on the seats and teeth on the floor, while many expressed fear for their safety. The flight crew received praise for their calm and professional handling of the crisis, while other passengers reacted to the racism and provided support to those who were frightened. The pilot, with 30 years of experience, stated that he had never seen a similar incident of violence in his entire career. Jet2 condemned the behavior of the passengers involved, calling it "unacceptable," and announced that they would be banned for life from the airline's flights. The flight eventually continued its journey to Manchester after completing the necessary procedures.