Passenger tries to light fire on Chinese flight

Major breaches in security have come to light after a passenger tried to light a fire on board a Chinese airline. 

The attempted arson happened about 1am on Sunday aboard Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH 9648 from the city of Taizhou to Guangzhou, near Hong Kong, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said.  Passengers and crew restained the man mif flight before he was taken into custody. 

The official broadcaster, CCTV, and other state media reported that the pilot issued a mayday call and the plane was guided into Guangzhou airport. Slides were deployed and 95 passengers and nine crew were evacuated. Two people were injured.  


The route was being operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft.  Pictre: Ian Jenkins

The incident highlights  a serious breakdown in security at Taizhou airport. Carrying of cigarette lighters and flammable substances, including spirits, is banned on all Chinese flights. Lighters are still permitted on flights within Europe and the UK provided they are declared at security. 


This yet to be confirmed image shows the damage caused by the passenger using the lighter to try and light fire to the aircraft.

Guangzhou airport police and Shenzhen Airlines had no additional information, including the man’s possible motivation.