A 61-year-old passenger survived after being partially ejected through a plane window during takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece, on Friday, according to Greek news reports.
The man’s head emerged from the window while his wife held onto his legs to prevent him from being sucked out, as described by a fellow passenger. Online photos and videos show a damaged window and passengers using oxygen masks.
The flight, operated by Malta Air (a Ryanair subsidiary), returned to Thessaloniki shortly after departure when a window dislodged mid-flight, per the airline’s statement. Passengers disembarked safely, and one requested medical assistance at the airport.
Michalis Giannakos, a union representative for Greek hospital workers, confirmed the incident: “The window broke, his body was pulled outside, and his wife held his legs for five minutes trying to pull him back in. Passengers assisted in re-securing him.”
Aviation tracking data identified the aircraft as a Boeing 737 in service since 2008.
The passenger sustained friction burns and was conscious upon arrival at a Thessaloniki hospital, per Silia Skoutelakou, the Greek health ministry’s press officer.
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