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Police storm Qantas flight after pilot is forced to turn plane back

Footage has surfaced of officers storming a plane at Sydney airport after a mid-flight altercation reportedly forced the pilot to turn the plane around.

An argument broke out when an older male passenger reportedly threw a young man’s mobile phone during the QantasLink flight to Canberra on Monday afternoon.

It is believed the older man became infuriated when the younger passenger ignored instructions to switch off his phone.

“We took off and were about halfway to Canberra when the pilot said we would be turning around and heading back to Sydney,” a passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, told News.com.au.

Three AFP officers can be seen onboard the aircraft appearing to speak with passengers and flight crew. Source: News.com.au
Three AFP officers can be seen onboard the aircraft appearing to speak with passengers and flight crew. Source: News.com.au

The plane was due to land in Canberra around 3.15pm but reportedly turned around and touched down at Sydney, where Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers entered the aircraft.

“Three police came in and took the two men off the plane,” the witness said.

Footage shows three AFP officers board the aircraft who appear to speak with passengers and flight crew.

An AFP spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News Australia that officers attended an incident in the Sydney Domestic Terminal on Monday.

“AFP officers spoke with staff and a number of passengers in relation to an alleged on-board altercation, however no charges have been laid at this time,” the spokesperson said.

They were not able to comment further due to ongoing investigations.

A Qantas spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News Australia the incident occurred on Monday afternoon, but could not provide further details.

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