A bear transported by plane from Baghdad to Dubai caused a flight delay because it escaped from a crate in the cargo area of the aircraft and wandered among the passengers, reports CNN today.
The incident happened on Friday and Iraqi Airways issued an apology after a video of a male passenger claiming his return flight to Baghdad was delayed "over an hour due to a bear in the cargo hold" went viral.
Another video shows a bear cub wandering around the plane, with people petting it and trying to comfort it.
A specialist team in Dubai put the match to sleep with sedatives and took it off the flight, according to a statement from Iraqi Airways.
The airline issued an apology on Saturday, saying the bear escaped from the crate "upon landing at Dubai airport".
"The company apologizes to passengers for reasons beyond its control," the statement said, adding that "the delay occurred due to the shipment in the cargo area," the statement added, adding that the bear was transported in accordance with international guidelines for the welfare of animals.
"The crew of the plane coordinated the action with the authorities of the United Arab Emirates, who sent a specialized team to put the animal to sleep and remove it from the plane. After the plane was checked and it was determined that there was no damage from this incident, the plane returned to Baghdad," it added. announcement.
The airline did not reveal why the bear was transported to the United Arab Emirates, nor did it provide information on the animal's condition after it was taken off the plane under sedation.
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport told CNN today that there were actually two bears on the plane.
"Two small, endangered bears were flown from Baghdad, and when the plane arrived in Dubai, one of the bears broke the cage, forcing Dubai airport authorities to put it to sleep," the statement said.
CNN has reached out to the Iraqi government for more details on the case.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered the Ministry of Transport to open an investigation into the bear's escape, his office announced yesterday.
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