Scenes of panic unfolded on Tuesday evening aboard a Lufthansa flight from Athens to Munich after the aircraft was forced to return to the Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport only minutes after departure due to a reported technical problem.
According to local media reports, the incident was reported aboard flight 1753, which departed Athens at 6:19 p.m. local time. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reportedly informed air traffic control of a technical malfunction and requested permission to return for an emergency landing.
The aircraft landed safely back at Athens airport at approximately 6:35 p.m., triggering the airport’s full emergency response protocols. Fire engines and emergency crews were deployed to the runway area as a precaution, in line with international aviation safety procedures.
Passengers reportedly rushed to leave the aircraft as emergency exits and inflatable evacuation slides were deployed.
