RAWALPINDI: Onboard passengers on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Istanbul to Islamabad experienced problems with the toilet’s drain system as foul-smelling water spread throughout the aircraft, which resulted in an argument between passengers and crew members.

According to sources, flight attendants seemed helpless as a pungent smell from the toilet began to emanate from the lavatory. They sprayed air freshener but to no avail.

The incident happened on a Boeing 777 flight PK706 from Istanbul to Islamabad on Tuesday April 25, 2023 when the drain system of the aircraft was choked and water from the toilet started to come out from it.

Exchange of harsh words between passengers and flight attendants continued for some time but the passengers had no other choice but to cover their noses.

A PIA spokesman said that after the plane landed, an investigation revealed that someone had tried to dispose of a diaper in the flush and a tea bag in the wash basin, which blocked both the drainage systems at the back of the plane and caused dirty water to leak out.

He further said after the flight landed at the airport, engineers cleared the toilet’s drain and the plane took off for the next destination after cleaning and disinfection.

Spokesman Abdullah Khan said that passengers are repeatedly requested not to throw such items in the toilet and wash basins.

In this regard, he said that the instructions and pictures are also displayed in the toilet, but if passengers ignore them, this would not only harm the national airline but also cause inconvenience to others during the flight.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2023