“SAUNA-LIKE HEAT”
Amongst these on board had been 49 members of Thailand’s nationwide Muay Thai staff and accompanying reporters, with the contingent certain for residence through Doha following their participation on the planet championships in Patras, Greece.
One of many Thai boxers, Thannachai Sidsongpeenong, informed The Nation that he thought of himself “fortunate to have survived this”, including that he and different passengers had been “melting in sauna-like warmth” on board.
Social media footage confirmed smoke billowing out from the rear of the aircraft and Qatar Airways later mentioned the delay was attributable to a “technical situation”.
“Qatar Airways sincerely apologises for the delay to passengers touring on flight QR204 from Athens (ATH) to Doha (DOH) on Monday Jun 10, 2024, which was as a consequence of a technical situation,” a spokesperson informed Enterprise Insider.
“We regard the protection and luxury of our passengers and crew as our highest precedence always, and have supplied our apologies to every passenger affected by this unexpected disruption and the inconvenience brought on.
“Moreover, passengers have been knowledgeable of their compensation entitlements in keeping with the relevant laws.”
Flight QR204’s departure was delayed by a day, in keeping with the airline’s web site, and arrived in Doha at 10.34am on Tuesday.
Wildfires, a perennial downside within the Greek summer time, began as early as March, and earlier this week, the nation’s fireplace threat warning was positioned at a “very excessive” stage of 4 on a scale of 5.
Colleges and the traditional Acropolis vacationer website had been additionally shut amid the sweltering warmth.
Greece is among the most climate-impacted international locations in Europe and final yr, rising temperatures fuelled lethal wildfires.
