Terrifying moment plane passenger tried to open emergency exit at 30,000 feet ‘because he felt like it’ as he is arrested for attempted murder of his fellow flyers

An Indian national has been arrested for attempted murder after allegedly trying to force open an emergency exit while a Batik Air flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi was at 30,000ft. Jamsheer Athanikkal, 36, is accused of smashing the exit window panel without provocation and threatening passengers and crew who intervened, prompting the pilot to divert the flight back to Malaysia. The incident, which was captured on video showing chaos in the cabin, could have endangered everyone on board had the exit been successfully opened mid-flight.

Athanikkal, who works in hospitality, was overpowered and restrained with cable ties by fellow passengers and crew before being handed to police in Malaysia. He reportedly told officers he had "felt like dying" during the flight and had acted simply because he "felt like it", despite saying he had been travelling home to see his newborn child. He faces charges including attempted murder, criminal intimidation and endangering public safety, with police in Kochi now seeking to question him further and assess his mental state.