Panic and Chaos: 18 Injured After False Fire Alarm Forces Wild Ryanair Evacuation in Mallorca
PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain—A flight preparing for takeoff to Manchester turned into a scene of pure chaos in the early hours of Saturday morning after a false fire warning led to a panicked emergency evacuation that injured 18 people.
Ryanair Flight FR3446, a Boeing 737-800 bound for Manchester (MAN) from Palma de Mallorca (PMI), was about to depart on Friday night when an alarm was triggered in the cockpit.
The Chaos of the Evacuation
The incident occurred just after midnight. Although the alarm was later confirmed by the airline to be a false fire warning light indication, the initial response led to a chaotic evacuation that resulted in serious injuries.
- Mass Panic: Passengers reported hearing a bang and then screaming throughout the cabin. Witnesses said crew members shouted “get off the plane,” prompting panic.
- Dangerous Descent: While inflatable slides were deployed at the front and rear exits, several passengers panicked and chose the faster but far more dangerous route: escaping via the overwing emergency exits. Since the Boeing 737-800’s overwing exits do not deploy inflatable slides, these passengers were forced to leap several meters onto the hard tarmac below.
- 18 Injured: Emergency services reported that a total of 18 people were injured in the fiasco, including passengers who sustained broken bones, fractured ankles, fractured wrists, and sprains. Six people were transported to a local hospital for treatment, with at least one woman requiring three hours of surgery.
Passengers who jumped described the event as “utter chaos” and “pure hell,” saying there was no clear instruction from the pilot and minimal guidance from some cabin crew members.
Ryanair’s Response and Aftermath
The original aircraft, a 15-year-old Boeing 737-800 (registration G-RUKN), remains grounded in Mallorca for a full inspection.
Ryanair issued a statement apologizing to affected passengers: “This flight from Palma to Manchester… discontinued take-off due to a false fire warning light indication. Passengers were disembarked using the inflatable slides and returned to the terminal. While disembarking, a small number of passengers encountered very minor injuries (ankle sprains, etc.) and crew requested immediate medical assistance.”
- Delay: A replacement Boeing 737-800 was flown in, and the flight eventually departed eight hours late in the early morning, though several injured passengers could not travel.
- Investigation: The incident has renewed focus on safety protocols for overwing exits on older aircraft, particularly the clarity of crew commands during an emergency to prevent passengers from jumping.
Conclusion
The chaotic evacuation of Ryanair Flight FR3446 is a chilling reminder of how easily panic can turn a false alarm into a serious injury incident. While the emergency was not real, the response resulted in 18 people requiring medical attention. The focus of the subsequent inquiry will center on the need for absolute clarity in emergency instructions to ensure passengers use the correct slides rather than risking a dangerous jump from the wing.
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Disclaimer
The details in this report are based on official statements from Ryanair, Spanish emergency services, and passenger accounts regarding the incident on July 4, 2025. Passengers injured during an evacuation following a false alarm may be entitled to compensation for injuries under EU law. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, readers should refer to the official Ryanair website (https://www.ryanair.com/) and consult with a legal expert regarding compensation rights.
