Chaos erupted aboard a Ryanair flight preparing to depart Palma de Mallorca Airport for Manchester early Saturday morning on July 5, after passengers panicked due to a false fire warning. At least 18 people were injured during the evacuation, with some passengers jumping onto the aircraft’s wing.

The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. when a fire warning indicator activated onboard the Boeing 737-800. Emergency exits were opened, slides deployed, and several passengers leapt onto the wing and down onto the tarmac.

RYANAIR PANIC At least 18 people injured after fire alert on Ryanair plane in Majorca as passengers abandon jet & leap from wing
byu/Evening-Rip5399 inaviation

A total of 18 passengers sustained minor injuries, including sprains and bruises, with six passengers transported to local hospitals. Ryanair confirmed the evacuation was due to a false fire alarm and stated there was no actual fire or external aircraft involved. A replacement aircraft departed Palma de Mallorca at 7:05 a.m.

Some of you will notice passengers bringing their bags with them during the evacuation. In a real emergency (1) taking the time to get the bags and (2) actually taking the time and space to carry them delays the evacation risking the lives of those behind you. People do it because they know they aren’t getting their belongings back any time soon in such a scenario, it’s an instinctual reaction. And it happens every time.

Locking overhead bins in this scenario would be worse, because passengers would slow things down even more as they fought the bins futilely trying to gain access.