Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Passengers attempt to flee into Spain after pregnant woman ‘fakes labour on plane’

Emergency responders met the plane on Barcelona Airport’s runway

Helen Wilson-Beevers
Thursday 08 December 2022 09:53 GMT
Comments
27 people (who are thought to be migrants) fled the aircraft
27 people (who are thought to be migrants) fled the aircraft (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Nearly 30 passengers attempted to flee into Spain on Wednesday, after a plane made an emergency landing because a pregnant woman allegedly faked going into labour.

The incident happened during Pegasus Airlines flight PC652 from Casablanca to Istanbul, which was reportedly transporting 228 passengers.

The pregnant woman is said to have simulated labour contractions mid-air, causing the crew to decide on an emergency landing at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

Crew had called ahead to seek medical assistance and upon landing at Barcelona, there was an ambulance and three police patrols waiting on the runway.

The emergency responders were ready to assist with what appeared to be an impending birth. However, it was later established by doctors at a hospital that while the woman was pregnant, she was not currently in labour.

As the pregnant woman was being evacuated from the plane, 27 passengers “exited the aircraft without authorisation” before trying to flee from border officials, NZ Herald reported, citing Catalonian government sources.

The passengers attempting to flee the plane are thought to be Moroccan migrants.

Flight Emergency also posted a video on Twitte showing what appeared to be passengers running from the plane onto the runway at Barcelona Airport, and attempting to evade waiting authorities.

According to reports, 14 of the fleeing passengers were stopped by police and arrested. 13 people successfully fled from officials and remain unaccounted for in Spain.

Five people were subsequently brought back onto the flight to continue their onward journey to Istanbul, while officials are currently processing the rest of the passengers.

According to officials, these eight detained passengers are expected to be boarded onto another Pegasus flight out of Spain after being processed for non-admission.

The pregnant woman is said to be among the group of passengers being deported to Morocco.

It follows dozens of migrants attempting to cross the border between Morocco and Spain on 24 June, with footage emerging of the incident shortly afterwards.

Video of the moment shows large groups of people trying to climb a fence standing between Morocco’s Nador and Spain’s Melilla, with objects being thrown at Moroccan police attempting to stop the crossing by using tear gas.

The Independent has contacted Spain’s Policia Nacional for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in