A pilot of a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight pressed a hijack alarm accidentally, which triggered a major security response at Manila airport on Tuesday, according to some media reports
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A pilot of a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight pressed a hijack alarm accidentally, which triggered a major security response at Manila airport on Tuesday, according to some media reports.
According to an AFP report, the police isolated the Saudia flight after it landed on Tuesday after the pilot pressed the distress signal by mistake, which is indicate that a hijack is.
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Passengers aboard the Boeing 777 flight from the Red Sea city of Jeddah had to remain on the plane for over two hours, and were let off only after it was clear there was no threat.
"Situation is normal. It was alleged that the pilot pressed the emergency light of the aircraft unintentionally," AFP quoted Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde as saying.
The aviation authority statement said the distress signal pressed by the pilot alerted authorities "that a hijacking incident is on progress on board".
"Immediately the flight was given priority landing by airport authorities... and was directed to park on the remote bay and isolated for security procedures," the statement added.
"Apparently the pilot committed an error activating the 7500 squawking signal," the statement said, referring to the hijack alarm.
There were 410 passengers on board, as well as four pilots and 17 crew members. Many of the passengers were returning from annual Islamic pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
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