Passenger Partially Sucked Out of Ryanair 737 Window Near Thessaloniki

Emergency Landing in Thessaloniki

A Ryanair Boeing 737 flying from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, made an emergency landing after a cabin window became dislodged shortly after takeoff, triggering rapid depressurization. The incident caused a 61-year-old Serbian passenger to be partially ejected through the opening, according to reports from Reuters and the BBC.

Witnesses said the man's head and shoulders were drawn out of the fuselage before his wife and nearby passengers grabbed his legs and held on for roughly five minutes, preventing him from being fully ejected. The flight crew declared an emergency and returned the aircraft to Thessaloniki, where all remaining passengers disembarked normally.

Medical Outcome and Investigation

Greek hospital officials confirmed the passenger was hospitalized with neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns. While the trauma was significant, officials described his condition as non-life-threatening. Ryanair confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the aircraft landed normally and the passenger received prompt medical attention. Greek authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the window failure. Local media reports suggest engine debris may have struck the window — drawing comparisons to the 2018 Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 accident — but investigators have not formally confirmed a cause. Boeing and relevant safety agencies are reportedly prepared to assist European authorities in the probe.