(Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Melbourne Airport has been placed on lockdown after a passenger tried to storm the cockpit of a plane claiming to have a bomb. The incident took place on Malaysia Airlines Flight 128.
What Happened?
Malaysia Airlines flight MH128 from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur was forced to return to Australia after about an hour in the air around midnight local time. MH128 left Melbourne at 11:11pm and reached 6400 feet before turning around and landing at 11:41pm.
In a statement, Malaysia Airlines confirmed that a “disruptive passenger” attempted to enter the cockpit but was subdued by other passengers. Local media are reporting that the passenger claimed to have explosives. The plane turned around after the captain “was alerted by a cabin crew [member] of a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit,” Malaysia Airlines said. According to some media reports citing passengers, the man in question was holding an “electronic frequency” device or claimed he had explosives.
Malaysia Airlines flight #MH128 has returned to Melbourne after a passenger tried to enter the cockpit shortly claiming he has explosives. pic.twitter.com/6PPTLgW1Qd
— Brendan Grainger (@Highflyermel) May 31, 2017
Other passengers subdued the attacker and an overweight landing was performed on RWY16. The aircraft is isolated at taxiway 'K'. https://t.co/OrTNUmaBoG
— Brendan Grainger (@Highflyermel) May 31, 2017
Australian Federal Police have confirmed that they are “responding to an incident with at least one passenger Melbourne Airport.”
The Malaysia Airlines spokesman said: “MH128 departed Melbourne Airport at 11.11pm and was to arrive Kuala Lumpur at 5.28am on June 1 made a turn back to Melbourne after the operating captain was alerted by a cabin crew of a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit.”
Malaysia Airlines flight #MH128 returned to Melbourne, because of a passenger security incident after take offhttps://t.co/XzpiTh75hR pic.twitter.com/MtIbadSt3K
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) May 31, 2017
“MH128 safely landed in Melbourne Airport at 11.41pm. The aircraft is currently on the remote bay and waiting for security assistance to arrive at the aircraft.”
#MH128 safely landed at Melbourne Airport at 11.41pm. Aircraft on remote bay awaiting security assistance. Passengers still aboard. https://t.co/JkjxeUvwvn
— Mikey Kay (@MikeyKayNYC) May 31, 2017
A significant portion around the airport has been closed off and emergency crews reportedly met the plane at the airport. All flights have reportedly been suspended and incoming aircraft have been diverted to nearby Avalon Airport.
UPDATE: Melbourne Airport is now reportedly on lockdown with all flights being suspended, according to Melbourne newspaper Herald Sun.
— TODAY (@TODAYonline) May 31, 2017
#MH128 #malaysiaairlines The plane is still parked near the hangars. Emergency crews on site. Roads closed. Melbourne airport in lockdown
— TheTripGuru (@The_Trip_Guru) May 31, 2017
Incident involving #MH128 #malaysiaairlines at MEL airport. All roads around airport blocked. Airport in lockdown. Planes being diverted
— TheTripGuru (@The_Trip_Guru) May 31, 2017
No injuries have been reported at this time.
Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport, colloquially known as the Tullamarine airport, is the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne, and the second busiest airport in Australia. It was opened in 1970 to replace the nearby Essendon Airport. Melbourne Airport services 33 million passengers per year.
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