A passenger was seriously injured last Friday after a cabin window shattered on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, causing the man to be partially ejected from the aircraft. The victim, 61-year-old Ljubisa Karovic, was held inside the cabin by his wife and other passengers until the aircraft returned safely to the airport, according to statements provided by his wife, Svetlana Maksimovic, to the Greek broadcaster ERT.
The Sequence of the Mid-Air Emergency
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff when the window beside Mr. Karovic shattered. Ms. Maksimovic reported that the rapid depressurization caused her husband to be sucked out of the window up to his chest. “He was outside for a maximum of two to three minutes,” Ms. Maksimovic told ERT. She noted that her husband remained conscious for parts of the event but lost consciousness three times while being restrained.
The survival of the passenger was attributed to his seatbelt, which prevented a full ejection. Ms. Maksimovic, alongside another female passenger and a man who joined the effort, physically pulled Mr. Karovic back into the cabin. A attempt to block the breach with a suitcase failed when the item was immediately pulled out of the plane by the force of the wind.
Did you know?
In the event of a sudden cabin depressurization, oxygen masks deploy automatically.
Current Medical Status and Investigation
Mr. Karovic is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Thessaloniki. According to Ms. Maksimovic, he is suffering from neck and shoulder injuries, friction burns, and severe psychological trauma. Medical staff have placed him in a neck collar and are utilizing a Holter monitor to assess his cardiac health due to concerns following the incident.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Malta Air on behalf of Ryanair, returned to Thessaloniki to facilitate the emergency landing. While investigations by Greek aviation authorities and technical experts are ongoing, preliminary reports suggest that debris from an engine failure may have struck the window. This impact is suspected of triggering the rapid cabin depressurization, though official confirmation is pending the final investigation report.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Ryanair window to shatter?
While the official investigation is ongoing, preliminary reports suggest that debris from an engine failure may have impacted the window, leading to the breach.
How was the passenger prevented from falling out?
The passenger’s seatbelt remained fastened, which prevented him from being completely ejected from the seat. Fellow passengers then physically pulled him back into the cabin.
Is the aircraft still in service?
The aircraft returned safely to Thessaloniki for an emergency landing. Ryanair confirmed that a replacement aircraft was provided to transport the remaining passengers to their destination.
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