2 Russians held for endangering lives of air passengers

Panaji, Feb 23 (UNI) Two Russian tourists were arrested today on charges of affray (causing disturbance) and endangering the lives of passengers in a Moscow-bound aircraft by attempting to open the emergency doors as the flight was about to take off from the Dhabolim airport.

Police said the two, identified as igor Desyatlikov (40) and Igor Shakirov (45), were among 270 passengers aboard the Siberian Airways flight moving on the runway before take off at about 0900hrs.

Airport sources told UNI that the flight purser immediately alerted the pilot on noticing that the two Russians were quarreling with each other and trying to break open the emergency exit as the flight was rolling on the runway before take off.

The aircraft was stopped and returned to the airport where the two were handed over to the police. After a two-hour delay, the flight took off for Moscow.

The duo reportedly told the police that they were opening the emergency doors to breathe ''fresh air'' and denied there was any quarrel between them. They have been booked for affray and endangering the lives of the passenger.

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