BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister has ordered an investigation into how a bear escaped from its crate within the cargo maintain of an Iraqi plane because it was as a consequence of depart from Dubai airport, leaving passengers disgruntled over the delay and inflicting a stir on social media.
Iraqi Airways mentioned it wasn’t accountable for the bear’s escape and that the plane’s crew labored with authorities within the United Arab Emirates, which dispatched specialists to sedate the animal and take away it from the aircraft.
A video clip circulating on social media confirmed the aircraft’s captain apologizing to passengers for Friday’s takeoff delay due to the bear’s escape from its crate within the cargo maintain.
Iraqi Airways mentioned Saturday that procedures to move the bear had been carried out in accordance with the regulation and with procedures and requirements permitted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The airline mentioned the bear was being flown from Baghdad to Dubai. But a person talking on the video clip making the social media rounds prompt in any other case, saying the plane was an hour late for its journey to Baghdad and that passengers had been being asked to disembark till the difficulty was resolved.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for worldwide journey, declined to remark.
An Iraqi Airways official confirmed to The Associated Press on Sunday that the bear was, actually, being transported to the Iraqi capital. The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he’s not licensed to discuss the matter publicly, declined to call the animal’s proprietor.
Keeping predatory animals as pets in Iraq — particularly in Baghdad — has turn into well-liked among the many rich.
Authorities have struggled to implement authorized provisions to guard wild animals. Baghdad’s police has beforehand known as on residents to help authorities in stopping such animals from being let free on the town’s streets or ending up as unique meals in restaurant by reporting such instances.
