Mid-air panic as Southwest flight diverted to Atlanta due to security threat amid Iran terror fears
A mid-air Southwest flight was forced to land in Georgia after a passenger triggered a security alert, coming amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Southwest Airlines Flight 2094, bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from Nashville, Tennessee, was abruptly diverted Friday night to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to Fox 5 Atlanta News.
The incident was set-off by a passenger, described as a ‘possible security matter,’ though what exactly happened has not been confirmed.
A TikTok video from inside the plane claimed there was a bomb threat mid-flight, capturing the panic of passengers on board.
In the footage, passengers can be seen being ordered to stay in their seats, with their hands up and heads down.
Following a safe landing in Georgia just after 9pm, officers from the Atlanta Police Department removed the passenger from the plane.
A line of men in tactical gear rushed down the aisle, forcibly removing a man in a red shirt from his seat as three officers handcuffed him.
Another video shared online by JC Rodriguez showed the captain shouting for all passengers to show their hands as chaos and confusion quickly spread throughout the cabin.
Southwest Airlines Flight 2094, bound for Florida from Tennessee, was forced to land in Georgia after a passenger triggered an unknown security alert Friday night (stock picture)
‘After diverting to Atlanta, our Southwest flight sat on the runway for 80+ minutes,’ he captioned the clip.
Chants from airline workers and flight attendants urging passengers to follow orders echoed through the cabin, while background noises of distressed cries and restless movement filled the plane.
In a statement to Fox News, a Southwest spokesperson said: ‘Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Friday evening after diverting to respond to a possible security matter.’
‘We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and apologize to our Customers for the delay,’ the statement added.
‘Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees.’
Officials have not confirmed whether any dangerous items were found on the man or the plane, or if the threat involved an explosive device.
The Atlanta Police Department has also yet to reveal the current status of the detained passenger or whether they will face charges.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Southwest Airlines for further comment.
This is a breaking news story…
