Abu Dhabi authorities end investigation into horror flight but questions remain

UAE security authorities have concluded their investigation into fires on board a flight from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi ... but what’s the outcome?

UNITED Arab Emirates security authorities say they have concluded their investigation into a series of fires on board a flight from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways flight EY461 left the Victorian capital at 11pm on Monday but was diverted to Jakarta after smoke was seen coming from two toilets.

After security checks, the passengers were told immigration issues meant they had to reboard the Boeing 777-300ER, after another fire broke out two hours from their destination in Abu Dhabi.

Twelve passengers were detained in the United Arab Emirates upon landing, with four Australians later let go without charge, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) said.

An Etihad Airways spokesman said the airline had been advised that all passengers detained had now been released and Abu Dhabi authorities had finished their investigation into the incident.

EARLIER: Passengers held after flight

“All remaining passengers held for questioning by the security authorities have been allowed to continue their journey,” he said.

The outcome of the investigations remains unknown.

Earlier reports indicated that a woman in her mid-20s was being investigated in relation to the fires.

However, a family member who contacted News Corp Australia said her detention had been the result of finger-pointing on board.

“I had a family member on board and (she) was a target of people pointing fingers to get themselves onto the next plane,” the relative said.

“As a result of this my sister was detained for questioning and was a key suspect in this matter. “This person was the only girl in her mid-20s and was the target of something that she has now been cleared from ... no thanks to the lies of many of the passengers that are safely home. “Judging people on how they look does not make their opinions valid as the saying goes never judge a book by its cover,” the relative said.

The first fire is believed to have broken out about three to four hours into the flight when most passengers were asleep, while a second fire took place in the rear toilet.

One passenger said flames were coming from the toilet and smoke filled the cabin.

Gatot Priambodo, the air-traffic control co-ordinator at Jakarta’s Sukarno-Hatta International Airport, said Australian air traffic controllers had requested the diversion after smoke alarms went off as the plane was cruising at 34,000 feet.

Ground crew said burned tissue paper in at least one of the toilets appeared to be the source of the smoke, he said.

After leaving Jakarta, the aircraft captain implemented ‘strict controls” over passenger movement in the cabin, particularly passenger access to the toilet, but this did not stop the third fire.

The airline spokesman said upon arrival at Abu Dhabi, 12 passengers were detained and interviewed by security authorities over the fires.

Passengers who contacted News Corp Australia reported that there were scenes of fear and panic as the fires were discovered, with some blaming both Indonesian authorities and Etihad Airways for what they say was an inadequate response.

“This flight, it was stressful to say the least,” Steve Jones said.

“As far as I am concerned it was attempted murder — why someone would do it once never mind twice is beyond me.

“I can’t understand how it happened again when the toilets where manned and checked once used. I feel the airline put every passenger at risk by not getting everyone off the plane at Jakarta,” he said.

However, other passengers defended Etihad Airways, and said cabin crew handled the situation as well as they could.

“My wife and I were on flight EY461 ... and just want to make clear: the cabin crew did a tremendous job,” Martin von Berswordt-Wallrabe said.

“After the third alarm they did everything they could to secure the cabin.”