Passengers sent 'final texts' as flames came out of Boeing jet engine over Greek holiday island
Video footage showed a spluttering fire visible from the ground. Passengers have since revealed how they began sending "final messages" to their loved ones as smoke rose in front of their windows, fearing they were about to crash.
Their plane did a dramatic U-turn before it made an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy, flight tracking information shows. But those on board faced more misery upon landing when they discovered there was not enough capacity at hotels around the airport, meaning some were forced to sleep on the floor of the terminal. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up
One passenger told German newspaper Bild: "I sent goodbye messages thinking it was over. It was a horrible experience.
"Suddenly, we heard a loud noise, then flames shot out of the engine. It was very scary."
And another described hearing a "loud clicking noise".
The fire is believed to have been caused by a bird strike. Condor Airlines, who operated the flight, have said that there was no risk to passengers during the incident.
The German airline also denied that an engine explosion had taken place, saying that the fire resulted from a "disturbance in air flow" to the jet, which caused a normal reaction in the combustion chamber to become more visible.
A Condor spokesperson told the Mirror: "Flight DE3665 from Corfu (CFU) to Dusseldorf (DUS) diverted to Brindisi (BDS) on 16 August 2025. The reason was a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by a disturbance in the air flow supply to the engine.
"Due to the fault message, it was precautionarily decided to divert to Brindisi. This posed no danger to the guests or crew members at any time.
"The aircraft landed around 8:15 p.m. at Brindisi Airport, and all 273 guests as well as the eight crew members disembarked the aircraft normally. Another Condor aircraft was dispatched to carry all guests to Dusseldorf on August 17th, 2025."
The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately, there was insufficient hotel capacity in Brindisi, meaning that not all guests could be accommodated in hotels. Additional vouchers and blankets were organised at the airport, and a few shops were allowed to remain open to provide supplies.
"Passengers who took advantage of alternative accommodation options can submit their expenses for reimbursement. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our passengers and employees is always our top priority.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Passengers sent 'final texts' as flames came out of Boeing jet engine over Greek holiday island
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Shocked holidaymakers have described the horror moment flames came out a plane engine moments after take-off. About 300 people on board a Condor Airlines Boeing 757-300 were left reeling on Saturday night when the plane's right engine started emitting large flames and smoke shortly after leaving Corfu in Greece. Video footage showed a spluttering fire visible from the ground. Passengers have since revealed how they began sending "final messages" to their loved ones as smoke rose in front of their windows, fearing they were about to crash. Their plane did a dramatic U-turn before it made an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy, flight tracking information shows. But those on board faced more misery upon landing when they discovered there was not enough capacity at hotels around the airport, meaning some were forced to sleep on the floor of the terminal. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up One passenger told German newspaper Bild: "I sent goodbye messages thinking it was over. It was a horrible experience. "Suddenly, we heard a loud noise, then flames shot out of the engine. It was very scary." And another described hearing a "loud clicking noise". The fire is believed to have been caused by a bird strike. Condor Airlines, who operated the flight, have said that there was no risk to passengers during the incident. The German airline also denied that an engine explosion had taken place, saying that the fire resulted from a "disturbance in air flow" to the jet, which caused a normal reaction in the combustion chamber to become more visible. A Condor spokesperson told the Mirror: "Flight DE3665 from Corfu (CFU) to Dusseldorf (DUS) diverted to Brindisi (BDS) on 16 August 2025. The reason was a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by a disturbance in the air flow supply to the engine. (Image: PlaneFinder) "Due to the fault message, it was precautionarily decided to divert to Brindisi. This posed no danger to the guests or crew members at any time. "The aircraft landed around 8:15 p.m. at Brindisi Airport, and all 273 guests as well as the eight crew members disembarked the aircraft normally. Another Condor aircraft was dispatched to carry all guests to Dusseldorf on August 17th, 2025." The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately, there was insufficient hotel capacity in Brindisi, meaning that not all guests could be accommodated in hotels. Additional vouchers and blankets were organised at the airport, and a few shops were allowed to remain open to provide supplies. "Passengers who took advantage of alternative accommodation options can submit their expenses for reimbursement. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our passengers and employees is always our top priority.'
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
'I feel violated' - mystery whisky tribute sparks DIY 'graveyard' fears at North Wales beauty spot
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The mysterious appearance of an ornate wreath has unsettled the owner of a Denbighshire field where it was left. Ashes were scattered near the wreath, dedicated to an elderly man who may have been fond of a tipple of whisky. The landowner, who asked not to be named, worries the picturesque site may become a shrine for bereaved families. It was only by chance that he discovered the well-hidden wreath in a copse on a hillside above Llangollen – but he suspects it was placed recently. Suspicions were previously aroused when a motorist stopped at his home 150 yards away. 'He asked where the graveyard was,' said the puzzled landowner, who spotted the wreath through a hole punched in a roadside hedge. 'The whole thing is bizarre. It's left me wondering what's going to happen next. What I don't want is to start finding windmills, teddy bears and plastic flowers on my land.' The floral tribute is beautifully done. Depicting a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky made with plastic flowers, it's dedicated to 'Grandad' and 'Great Grandad'. However its finesse has been overshadowed by the lack of permissions requested or obtained for placing it. Memorials and the scattering of ashes is an issue causing growing concern in national parks like Eryri (Snowdonia). All plaques or memorials on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) are removed as they can 'detract from the feeling of wildness', while ash spreading is discouraged because it might 'upset and inconvenience others'. As the Llangollen field is rented by a farmer and grazed by sheep, plastic flowers are not welcome. However the landowner acknowledges the sensitivities involved and wants to understand why his field is being used this way. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community 'I can appreciate why someone might consider this place their little slice of heaven,' he said. 'There are wonderful views across the valley. 'But I don't want my land turned into a place that becomes a shrine to someone else's loved one, and having a stream of visitors. Without understanding why this place has been chosen, it feels intrusive – it's left me feeling slightly violated. 'I worry that if I remove it, someone enraged will start banging on my door asking where it's gone. I don't want to be unreasonable – there might be good reasons why the wreath was left here and that's what I'm now trying to find out.' He has a notion of what might be happening. From the 1950s, the field hosted a small static caravan site with just five pitches. Only after the site closed in 1985 did the landowner discover two regular visitors had scattered their loved ones' ashes on the field. Believing the wreath may be connected to the former caravan pitch where it was left, he suspects a possible link to a family named Milford who, at the time, were from Crosby, Merseyside. They had a caravan on the land until around 1982-83 and visitors included relations surnamed McAvoy (or Macavoy). Following research, he online messaged two woman believed to be relatives of the deceased. He's not yet had replies from either. 'I'm guessing no one would place a wreath there unless they have some kind of connection with the place,' he said. 'It's been suggested they might be relatives of former owners but my family has been here 70 years, so it's unlikely. 'At the same time it's been 40 years since the caravan site closed, so that's a bit tenuous as well. I'm open and amenable to visits if a genuine connection is established but I'd prefer them to walk through the gate rather than push through the hedge.' The wreath was left in a corner plot shielded with leylandii planted by previous caravan owners. It's since grown ragged with bramble, hazel and hawthorn - but the hillside views remain just as enchanting. 'I do get it,' said the landowner. 'This may have been someone's happy place, somewhere they could escape for a while. If it's who I think it is, I might be able to come to some kind of arrangement with his family if they contact me.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
5 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Passengers sent 'final texts' as flames came out of Boeing jet engine over Greek holiday island
Shocked holidaymakers have described the horror moment flames came out a plane engine moments after take-off. About 300 people on board a Condor Airlines Boeing 757-300 were left reeling on Saturday night when the plane's right engine started emitting large flames and smoke shortly after leaving Corfu in Greece. Video footage showed a spluttering fire visible from the ground. Passengers have since revealed how they began sending "final messages" to their loved ones as smoke rose in front of their windows, fearing they were about to crash. Their plane did a dramatic U-turn before it made an emergency landing in Brindisi, Italy, flight tracking information shows. But those on board faced more misery upon landing when they discovered there was not enough capacity at hotels around the airport, meaning some were forced to sleep on the floor of the terminal. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up One passenger told German newspaper Bild: "I sent goodbye messages thinking it was over. It was a horrible experience. "Suddenly, we heard a loud noise, then flames shot out of the engine. It was very scary." And another described hearing a "loud clicking noise". The fire is believed to have been caused by a bird strike. Condor Airlines, who operated the flight, have said that there was no risk to passengers during the incident. The German airline also denied that an engine explosion had taken place, saying that the fire resulted from a "disturbance in air flow" to the jet, which caused a normal reaction in the combustion chamber to become more visible. A Condor spokesperson told the Mirror: "Flight DE3665 from Corfu (CFU) to Dusseldorf (DUS) diverted to Brindisi (BDS) on 16 August 2025. The reason was a parameter indication outside the normal range caused by a disturbance in the air flow supply to the engine. "Due to the fault message, it was precautionarily decided to divert to Brindisi. This posed no danger to the guests or crew members at any time. "The aircraft landed around 8:15 p.m. at Brindisi Airport, and all 273 guests as well as the eight crew members disembarked the aircraft normally. Another Condor aircraft was dispatched to carry all guests to Dusseldorf on August 17th, 2025." The spokesperson added: "Unfortunately, there was insufficient hotel capacity in Brindisi, meaning that not all guests could be accommodated in hotels. Additional vouchers and blankets were organised at the airport, and a few shops were allowed to remain open to provide supplies. "Passengers who took advantage of alternative accommodation options can submit their expenses for reimbursement. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our passengers and employees is always our top priority.'
