Bear escapes from crate in cargo hold of Iraqi plane at Dubai airport
- Iraqi Airways said it was not to blame for the bear’s escape as Iraq’s prime minister orders an investigation
- Keeping predatory animals as pets in Iraq – especially in Baghdad – has become popular among the wealthy
Iraq’s prime minister has ordered an investigation into how a bear escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of an Iraqi aircraft as it was due to depart from Dubai airport, leaving passengers disgruntled over the delay and causing a stir on social media.
A video clip circulating on social media showed the plane’s captain apologising to passengers for Friday’s take-off delay because of the bear’s escape from its crate in the cargo hold.
Iraqi Airways said on Saturday that 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).
The airline said the bear was being flown from Baghdad to Dubai. But a person speaking on the video clip making the social media rounds suggested otherwise, saying the aircraft was an hour late for its trip to Baghdad and that passengers were being asked to disembark until the issue was resolved.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, declined to comment.