Passengers onboard an Iraqi Airways flight from Dubai to Baghdad were left disgruntled after a bear escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of the plane just as it was about to take off from the airport.
A video of the August 4 incident caused a stir on social media.
Iraqi Airways denied blamed for the bear’s escape and said that it worked with authorities in the United Arab Emirates to sedate the animal and remove it from the plane.
A video clip circulating on social media showed the plane's captain apologising to passengers for August 4’s takeoff delay because of the bear's escape from its crate in the cargo hold.
Iraqi Airways said procedures to transport the bear were carried out in accordance with the law and with procedures and standards approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Iraq’s prime minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
(with AP inputs)
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