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Eighteen passengers sustained minor injuries and six were taken to hospital following a dramatic evacuation of a Ryanair flight at Spain’s Palma Airport during the early hours of Saturday morning, July 5. The incident occurred when a fire alert was triggered onboard the aircraft, which was preparing for take-off to Manchester.

 

According to sources from Aena, Spain’s airport operator, there was no actual fire on board. However, the aircraft’s internal fire warning system activated at 12.36am, prompting cabin crew to initiate an immediate evacuation. In the confusion, many passengers panicked and began rushing to exit the plane.

 

Emergency services were quickly deployed to the scene. The regional emergency response coordination centre, SAMU 061, dispatched four ambulances: two Advanced Life Support and two Basic Life Support units. Fire crews stationed at Palma airport and the Guardia Civil also attended.

 

Passengers were evacuated via the aircraft’s wings, as no emergency slides were deployed. Among the injured were several British holidaymakers who suffered broken bones and sprains. One of them, 26-year-old Savanah from Whitefield, described the moment panic broke out.

 

“We were just sat on the plane. They said we were going in five minutes. Then there was a bang, and everyone started screaming and running,” she told the Manchester Evening News. “The air stewardess screamed, ‘Get off the plane, leave your belongings’. It was utter chaos.”

 

Savanah’s mother broke her ankle in three places and was later taken for surgery. Her friend’s mother fractured her elbow, wrist and foot. Savanah also reported injuring her shoulder, while her friend hurt her knee. They were among those who had to wait at the airport’s medical centre, which she described as “chaos in one single room”.

 

Ryanair later confirmed the incident was caused by a “false fire warning light indication”. In a statement, the airline said:

 

“Passengers were disembarked using the inflatable slides and returned to the terminal. A small number of passengers encountered very minor injuries... A replacement aircraft was arranged and departed Palma at 7.05am.”

 

Authorities confirmed that all 18 injuries were minor, with six individuals being transferred to Clínica Rotger and Hospital Quirónsalud Palmaplanas for further treatment.