Passenger Sparks Panic After Trying to Open Emergency Exit Door on Batik Air Flight from KL to Kochi

Passengers on a Batik Air flight had the fright of their lives after a man allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-air.

According to a report, Batik Air flight OD231, a Boeing 737, was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi, India, on 5 August. Most passengers were asleep at the time of the incident and were reportedly awakened by the sound of air rushing through the cabin.

The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Jamsheer Athanikkal, was seated in the emergency exit row and allegedly attempted to force open the emergency exit door. He also allegedly damaged the emergency exit's inner window panel with his foot.

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In a video recorded inside the aircraft that has since gone viral, cabin crew members and several passengers can be seen intervening, with one woman holding onto the emergency exit door handle.

The footage also shows the suspect wearing a white shirt. It is understood that he had threatened fellow passengers and cabin crew members during the incident.

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Fortunately, no further incidents were reported and the suspect was successfully restrained. He was taken into custody by Kerala Police after the flight landed in Kochi early on Thursday (6 August).

Kerala Police said a detailed investigation is currently underway. The suspect has been booked under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation, Section 11A of the Aircraft Act for violating safety or security directions, and Section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act for acts endangering public safety.

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