Passenger Seriously Injured After Window Becomes Dislodged on Ryanair Flight, Wife Describes Terrifying Mid-Air Ordeal

Emergency Forces Flight to Return Shortly After Takeoff

A Ryanair flight traveling from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, was forced to return to its departure airport after a passenger window reportedly became dislodged during the flight.

The incident resulted in a sudden loss of cabin pressure and prompted the aircraft to turn back shortly after takeoff.

The plane landed safely in Thessaloniki, where emergency personnel were waiting to assist passengers upon arrival.

Among those affected was 61-year-old Serbian passenger Ljubiša Karović, who suffered serious injuries during the emergency.

Wife Recalls the Moment the Emergency Began

Karović’s wife, Svetlana Grković, later described the frightening events that unfolded inside the aircraft as the cabin rapidly lost pressure.

She explained that the situation developed immediately after the window gave way during the flight.

According to her account, the sudden decompression pulled her husband toward the opening.

Because he was wearing his seatbelt, he remained secured to his seat, although a large portion of his body was pulled outside the aircraft.

Grković reacted instantly, grabbing hold of his legs in an effort to prevent him from being pulled any farther.

A Desperate Effort to Hold On

Recalling the terrifying experience, Grković described the overwhelming fear she felt as she struggled to keep hold of her husband.

“As the window broke, decompression occurred in the cabin. The pressure pulled Ljubisa, luckily he was strapped in, but half of his body was sticking out of the plane,” she said.

She continued by explaining the decision she made in those critical moments.

“I immediately reacted and grabbed his legs. I thought: ‘If we die, we die together’. It was horrible.”

Her actions, combined with the seatbelt keeping Karović restrained, helped prevent him from being pulled farther outside the aircraft.

Medical Teams Respond After Landing

Once the aircraft safely returned to Thessaloniki, emergency medical personnel were already waiting on the ground.

Karović was transported to a hospital in the city, where he continues to receive medical treatment.

His wife said he suffered multiple injuries during the incident.

Among the reported injuries were friction burns and a significant injury to one of his hands.

She also explained that he remained in shock following the ordeal and was unable to communicate.

Passenger Remains Hospitalized

According to Grković, her husband has little memory of what occurred during the flight.

She believes he lost consciousness several times while the emergency was unfolding.

“He’s seriously injured and in shock. His hand is particularly badly injured, and he’s got burns. He’s not able to communicate, he doesn’t remember the whole event,” she said.

The combination of physical injuries and emotional trauma has left him requiring ongoing medical care.

Doctors continue treating him following the frightening incident aboard the aircraft.

Fellow Passengers Offer Assistance

Grković also praised the actions of other passengers who stepped in to help during the emergency.

She said several people quickly responded as the situation developed inside the cabin.

Their assistance provided support while she continued trying to hold onto her husband.

One passenger, in particular, left a lasting impression on her.

“That man helped me a lot, Ljubiša and I. I would like to meet him, to thank him personally again.”

She expressed gratitude for the willingness of others on board to help during such a dangerous situation.

Possible Cause Described by the Passenger’s Wife

Grković also shared what she believes may have caused the emergency.

Based on what she observed during the flight, she believes part of the aircraft’s engine broke away and struck the window beside her husband’s seat.

“It was as if a part of the engine broke off and hit the window where my husband Ljubiša was sitting,” she said.

Her account reflects what she believes happened during the incident as the aircraft climbed after takeoff.

Video Appears to Show Engine Damage

Video footage that later emerged appears to show damage to one of the aircraft’s engines.

The recording shows one engine blade missing while several other blades appear bent or damaged.

The metal lining inside the engine also appears dented and torn.

The footage has drawn considerable attention as people seek to understand what may have led to the emergency.

No additional findings regarding the cause of the incident were included in the available information.

Ryanair Confirms the Incident

Ryanair confirmed that the aircraft returned to Thessaloniki shortly after takeoff because a passenger window became dislodged during the flight.

The airline stated that the aircraft landed normally and passengers were able to leave the plane after returning to the terminal.

It also confirmed that one passenger requested medical assistance after landing and received treatment on the ground in Thessaloniki.

The airline arranged another aircraft so passengers could continue their journey to Memmingen.

Replacement Flight Continues the Journey

To reduce disruption for travelers, Ryanair organized a replacement aircraft following the emergency landing.

The substitute flight departed Thessaloniki later that morning.

According to the airline, the replacement aircraft left at 9:53 local time and continued the scheduled journey to Memmingen.

While most passengers were able to resume their travel plans, Karović remained behind in Greece to receive medical treatment for the injuries he sustained.

A Frightening Experience for Everyone on Board

The incident transformed what began as a routine flight into a life-threatening emergency for those on board.

For Grković, the ordeal became a desperate struggle to keep her husband alive after the aircraft experienced rapid decompression.

Her account offers a firsthand description of the panic that unfolded inside the cabin as passengers responded to the unexpected emergency.

Although the aircraft landed safely and the remaining passengers were able to continue their journey later that day, the incident left one passenger hospitalized and deeply affected those who witnessed the dramatic events.