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-A Wizz Air plane carrying journalists who were returning from the Gaza peace summit in Egypt to Rome was forced to make an emergency landing after what some passengers described as the sound of an “explosion” in the cargo hold”Wizz Air confirms that flight W4 6118, operating on 14th October, was diverted to Naples due to an unexpected technical issue. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers disembarked without injuries,” the airline noted in a statement shared with PEOPLE, adding that “there were no signs of smoke or fire on board”The passengers were transported to Rome by coach with no injuries reported, the airline shared. Firefighters were dispatched to the plane after it arrived at Naples International Airport, per Corriere della Sera
A Wizz Air plane carrying journalists who were returning from the Gaza peace summit in Egypt to Rome was forced to make an emergency landing after what some passengers described as the sound of an “explosion” in the cargo hold.
Wizz Air Flight W46118 was diverted to Naples, Italy, due to “an unexpected technical issue” after departing from Sharm El-Sheikh following the peace summit on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the airline said in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Wizz Air confirms that flight W4 6118, operating on 14th October, was diverted to Naples due to an unexpected technical issue. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers disembarked without injuries,” the airline further noted in their statement.
The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that an alarm was raised on the flight between the Italian regions of Puglia and Basilicata “due to suspected smoke in the cargo hold” and passenger reports of an alleged “explosion” on the aircraft. The emergency landing occurred at noon local time.
“Contrary to some media reports, there were no signs of smoke or fire on board,” Wizz Air continued to PEOPLE. “However, as the safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, the airline’s maintenance team is conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft to follow the protocols.”
A stock image of the side of a Wizzair Airbus A321 Neo aircraft.
NurPhoto via Getty
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The passengers were transported to Rome by coach with no injuries reported, the airline shared. Firefighters were dispatched to the plane after it arrived at Naples International Airport, per Corriere della Sera.
Aboard the plane were several members of the press who had attended the peace summit in Egypt, where the signing of the Gaza peace agreement took place. President Donald Trump and leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey were in attendance, following the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, per Corriere della Sera.
“The airline would like to thank its pilots and cabin crew for keeping everyone safe during the landing and for making the right decision to divert the aircraft to Naples,” Wizz Air added in its statement to PEOPLE.
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