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A 36-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly attempting to open an emergency exit door on a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi
According to The Indian Express, Jamsheer Athanikkal allegedly smashed the emergency exit window panel and attempted to open the door on Batik Air flight OD231 on Wednesday, 5 August.
Kochi airport police revealed that Jamsheer, who works in the hospitality sector in Malaysia, was travelling back to his hometown when the incident occurred between 9.30pm and 11pm.
"Jamsheer was a traveller in seat number 12A. Without any provocation, he tried to open the emergency exit and destroyed the exit window panel.
"He threatened the co-passengers and the crew who tried to prevent him. Later, he was overpowered by the co-passengers and the crew," said a police officer.
The officer added that the suspect told investigators he "felt like doing so" at the time. Preliminary investigations also found that he had not lost his job and was returning home to see his newborn child.
A 35-second video of the incident has since gone viral on Facebook
A passenger on board said the suspect attempted to open the emergency exit while most passengers were asleep.
"We were woken up by a loud and frightening sound of air gushing.
"Thankfully, due to the aircraft's design and cabin pressure, the door remained closed.
"Fellow passengers and Batik Air Malaysia crew acted immediately, restrained him and prevented the situation from escalating further," the witness wrote in the video's caption.
Jamsheer was arrested on charges of criminal intimidation, violating safety and security regulations, and endangering public safety
In a statement to SAYS, Batik Air confirmed the incident, revealing that the suspect allegedly caused minor cosmetic damage to an interior emergency exit window panel and physically assaulted another passenger.
"The cabin crew responded immediately in accordance with international safety protocols. Supported by an able-bodied passenger, the crew restrained the individual without further escalation, ensuring the safety and security of all passengers and crew for the remainder of the flight.
"Flight OD231 landed safely at the Cochin International Airport (COK) as scheduled. Upon landing, local law enforcement boarded the aircraft, took the individual into custody and initiated formal investigations," it said.
Batik Air added that it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities in the investigation.
The airline also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that compromises inflight safety, security, or passenger well-being. It commended its cabin crew for their swift and professional response to the incident and thanked the passenger who assisted in restraining the suspect.
