A Condor Airlines flight from Corfu, Greece, to Düsseldorf, Germany, was forced to make an emergency landing in southern Italy after one of its engines caught fire midair.
The Boeing 757, carrying 273 passengers and eight crew members, experienced a turbine airflow disruption at an altitude of about 36,000 feet on Saturday evening, according to People.
Passengers reported seeing flames shooting from the right engine shortly after 8 p.m. local time. Some described the terrifying ordeal as “horrible,” with one passenger admitting they sent “goodbye texts” to family, fearing the worst.
@corekvas This just happened 🤯🔥✈️ #corfu #greecetiktok ♬ original sound – Vasiliki
Emergency Landing in Brindisi
The aircraft, operating as Flight DE 3665, diverted to Brindisi Airport in southern Italy and landed safely at 8:15 p.m., about 40 minutes after takeoff, per FlightRadar24 data. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show bursts of fire flashing from the engine while the plane made loud booming sounds overhead.
Condor said the issue was caused by a “parameter indication outside the normal range” due to an airflow disruption inside the combustion chamber. While acknowledging the dramatic scene, the airline stressed that “at no time were passengers in danger.”
Overnight Stranded Passengers
After the landing, some travelers were placed in hotels, while others had to remain at the airport overnight due to limited accommodations in Brindisi. Condor said it provided vouchers, blankets, and access to shops, and promised reimbursement for those who arranged their own lodging.
A replacement aircraft was dispatched, and passengers continued on to Düsseldorf the following morning.
Condor Issues Statement
In a statement, Condor apologized for the disruption:
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused, but the safety of our passengers and employees is always our top priority.”
The affected Boeing 757 is now undergoing a full technical inspection.
