Ryanair Passenger Partially Sucked Out After Window Shatters at 20,000 Feet

A Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany experienced a terrifying incident when a window shattered at approximately 20,000 feet, partially sucking a passenger out of the aircraft. The passenger, a Serbian man in his 60s seated next to the window, had his head and shoulders exposed to the outside air due to sudden cabin depressurization. His wife and other passengers held onto him tightly for about five minutes until he was pulled back inside and secured in his seat. Fortunately, he was wearing his seatbelt, which likely saved his life.

Following the window rupture, oxygen masks deployed immediately for all passengers. Eyewitnesses described a loud explosion and rapid loss of altitude, causing panic and screams onboard. Flight attendants struggled to maintain order as passengers donned oxygen masks. Medical professionals and bystanders on the flight assisted in pulling the man back into the cabin.

The Boeing 737-800 circled over northern North Macedonia before making an emergency landing in Thessaloniki, Greece. The injured passenger was promptly treated for neck injuries, friction burns, and shock. German reports, including from the DPA news agency, suggest the incident was triggered when part of the plane's engine detached mid-flight and struck the window with great force.