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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Lucy Skoulding

Israel flight aborted after chilling photos of plane crash sent to passengers

A flight from Israel was suddenly aborted this afternoon after passengers were sent plane crash photos moments before takeoff.

Passengers were sent photos of the wreckage of the Turkish Airlines plane that crashed in Amsterdam in 2009 via Airdrop on iPhone.

After the photos sparked panic on board the flight, the pilots decided to turn around and go back to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.

It is not yet known who sent the photos, but officials believe it was someone on board the flight.

It is not yet known who sent the photos, but officials believe it was someone on board the flight (IAA/GETTY)

All of the passengers were told to get off of the plane and their luggage was also removed to be checked.

Around 160 passengers were on board the Boeing 737 vessel that was operated by a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet.

The security alert was triggered by the photos being sent via AirDrop, according to the Israel Airports Authority.

The flight from Israel was suddenly aborted this afternoon after passengers were sent chilling photos moments before takeoff (AFP via Getty Images)

There is not yet confirmation of how many passengers received the wreckage photos just as the plane was going towards the runway.

The Israel Airports Authority has since praised the pilots' decision to go back to Tel Aviv.

Israel broadcaster, Kan, shared some of the pictures that passengers received including two crashed Boeings.

Among the photos was also the Asiana Airlines Flight 214 that crashed in a ball of fire in San Francisco in 2013.

"We got on the flight and the plane started moving," a passenger told Kan news.

They continued: "Most people received a request for a photo confirmation in AirDrop, some approved and some did not.

"The plane stopped and the flight attendants asked who got the pictures."

Most people received a request for photo confirmation in AirDrop (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

They said police swarmed around the plane as they were ordered off.

The passenger added: "The airport manager told us there was a security incident.

"They took all our luggage out of the plane for a second check."

An Airports Authority spokesman, Ofer Lefler, said: "All passengers and luggage are now undergoing an additional inspection.

"The Israeli police and other security officials are also investigating the incident."

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