The bear was sedated at Dubai airport after escaping from a crate on a flight from Iraq. Credit: screenshot
The bear was sedated at Dubai airport after escaping from a crate on a flight from Iraq. Credit: screenshot
The bear was sedated at Dubai airport after escaping from a crate on a flight from Iraq. Credit: screenshot
The bear was sedated at Dubai airport after escaping from a crate on a flight from Iraq. Credit: screenshot

Iraq PM orders inquiry after bear's crate escape on flight to Dubai


Ali Al Shouk
  • English
  • Arabic

Iraq's Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into how a bear escaped from a crate in the cargo hold of an Iraqi Airways plane at Dubai International Airport.

Mohammed Shia Al Sudani's media office's social media account said he had ordered Transport Minister Razzaq Al Saadawi to investigate.

"A malfunction in an aircraft of Iraqi Airways was reported to the Prime Minister's office by the office of the Prime Minister," Iraq's prime minister's office posted in Arabic.

"The Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Transportation to conduct an urgent and professional investigation into the causes of the malfunction, which adversely affected the aircraft's performance, flights, and passenger services."

Iraqi Airways issued an apology on Friday after the animal escaped and had to be sedated and taken off the flight on arrival at Dubai International Airport.

“The company apologises to the passengers of the flight from Baghdad International Airport to Dubai Airport for reasons beyond the control of the company,” the airline said.

“The delay happened because of a shipment in the cargo hold.

“Upon arrival at Dubai Airport, the animal escaped the crate specified for its shipment.”

The statement said the bear was being transported in line with international animal welfare guidelines.

“The plane crew co-ordinated with UAE's authority who sent a specialised team to sedate the animal and take it off the plane,” it continued.

“After checking the plane and making sure there is no damage from this incident the flight returned to Baghdad.”

The airline did not disclose why the bear was being transported to the UAE or any further information on its well-being.

Iraqi Airways flights land at Terminal 2, Dubai International Airport.

Dubai Airports was contacted for comment.

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Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)

Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

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Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959

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Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas

His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s

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Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:

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Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.

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Updated: August 07, 2023, 10:26 AM