A Ryanair flight travelling from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, returned safely to Thessaloniki Airport after a passenger window was damaged during the flight, causing a sudden loss of cabin pressure. One passenger sustained injuries, while all passengers were safely evacuated after the aircraft landed
According to authorities, the injured passenger is a tourist from Serbia. The passenger suffered friction-related injuries during the incident and was admitted to hospital. Doctors said the passenger's condition is stable and that they are out of danger.
A passenger on board told a local radio station that most people were asleep when a loud bang was suddenly heard during the flight. According to the eyewitness, it initially sounded as though one of the aircraft's tyres had burst. Moments later, passengers realised the cabin pressure was dropping rapidly. Oxygen masks were automatically deployed, and passengers experienced panic inside the cabin.
Eyewitnesses said the upper body of the passenger seated next to the damaged window was pulled towards the window. The passenger was wearing a seat belt, preventing the situation from becoming more serious. Nearby passengers immediately assisted the individual and helped return them safely to their seat. The flight crew also followed emergency procedures and attempted to keep passengers calm.
In an official statement, Ryanair said the pilot decided to return the aircraft to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off after receiving reports that a passenger window had been damaged. The airline said the aircraft made a normal and safe landing, and all passengers disembarked safely.
The airline provided a replacement aircraft to complete the passengers' journey. According to the statement, all passengers were later flown to their scheduled destination of Memmingen on another aircraft.
According to local media reports, the incident occurred while the aircraft was flying over North Macedonia. Some reports claimed that debris detached from the engine damaged the window. However, this claim has not been officially confirmed. The airline and aviation safety agencies are conducting a technical investigation to determine the actual cause of the incident.
The incident has again drawn attention to aviation safety procedures and the importance of regular technical inspections. Experts said modern passenger aircraft are equipped with multiple safety systems. If cabin pressure drops suddenly during a flight, oxygen masks deploy automatically, and pilots follow standard emergency procedures by descending to a safe altitude and diverting to the nearest airport. These procedures help ensure passenger safety in most such incidents.
Ryanair said the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers and said it is fully cooperating with the investigating agencies.
