Overview

• On July 5 at 00:35 UTC, Flight RK3446’s crew aborted takeoff at Palma de Mallorca Airport after a cabin fire alarm falsely indicated a blaze.
• Panic among passengers led some to use wing exits instead of slides, jumping several meters onto the tarmac and complicating the evacuation.
• Eighteen people were treated for injuries—six hospitalised with what Ryanair described as minor wounds while some travellers allege more serious fractures.
• The airline issued apologies, launched an internal review of its emergency protocols and chartered a replacement flight to Manchester for all affected passengers.
• Aviation safety experts have criticised the response, warning that wing evacuations on short-haul jets pose heightened risks when panic overtakes order.