An unusual and tragic situation unfolded last Sunday when an Egyptian plane was forced to make an emergency landing at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah following the sudden death of the captain, Hassan Adas, in full flight.
The plane, initially en route to Taif in Saudi Arabia, had to deviate from its trajectory due to this unforeseen situation.
Co-pilot announcement and online reactions
Passengers were informed of the situation by the plane’s co-pilot, who made an announcement over the plane’s loudspeakers. In a video shared on social media and viewed more than 5 million times on TikTok, the co-pilot said: “We apologize for changing the trajectory of our flight to King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah, due to of the death of my brother and friend, the captain, Captain Hassan.”
This announcement, full of emotion, touched many Internet users and passengers, generating a wave of sympathy and support on digital platforms. The co-pilot concluded his message by reciting a verse from the Koran: “And no soul knows what it will acquire tomorrow and no soul knows in what land it will die. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Knowing.”
Safe landing and passenger care
Despite the urgency and shock of the situation, the plane was able to land safely in Jeddah, where local authorities and rescue teams were waiting to take care of the passengers and the rest of the crew.
The passengers were transferred to their final destination, Taif, by another flight planned by the airline.
Reactions from the authorities and the airline
The Egyptian airline expressed its condolences to the family of captain Hassan Adas and praised the professionalism and composure of the co-pilot and crew in the face of this critical situation. Jeddah Airport Authorities also worked closely with the company to ensure rapid and effective handling of the incident.
This event highlights the unforeseen challenges that flight crews may encounter and highlights the importance of training and preparation to handle in-flight emergencies.
Passengers unanimously praised the crew’s rapid and professional response, which ensured their safety despite the tragic circumstances.
