LFlight TK619, operated by a Boeing 737 Max 8 registered TC-LCI, took off from Istanbul at 8:56 a.m. (UTC) and was heading towards Marrakech. After approximately two hours of flight, the captain requested permission to land in Malta, citing the need to provide urgent care to a passenger in medical distress. The aircraft landed at 11:02 a.m. (UTC).
According to initial information collected, the sick passenger was immediately taken care of and transferred under police escort to Mater Dei Hospital in Valletta. He currently remains under medical and police surveillance, awaiting clarification of the events.
While the plane was on the tarmac, several Moroccan passengers took advantage of the situation to escape. The leak prompted a rapid response from Maltese security forces, who launched a massive search operation. Local police, supported by the Armed Forces of Malta, combed the surrounding areas of the airport and nearby areas to find the fleeing individuals.
The Maltese authorities have not yet communicated the exact number of passengers who left the plane illegally. However, this incident triggered strict security protocols at the airport, temporarily disrupting its normal operations.
The Maltese authorities have opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of this leak. In particular, they are seeking to understand whether this emergency landing for medical reasons could have been used as a pretext by certain passengers to illegally enter Maltese territory.
This incident comes in a context where attempts at irregular migration to Europe are on the rise, particularly through unforeseen or circuitous routes. Luqa International Airport, although relatively small, has faced similar incidents in the past, but rarely of this magnitude.
If the responsibility of certain passengers is confirmed, this could have consequences for immigration policies and security protocols at European airports. Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines has not yet issued an official statement regarding this incident, although the remaining passengers have been picked up to continue their journey to Marrakech.
