A Manchester-bound flight with over 230 passengers made an emergency landing in Siberia following a mid-air ‘mechanical fault,’ Russian authorities have confirmed
A Manchester-bound flight carrying over 230 passengers was forced into an emergency landing in Russia after suffering a worrying mid-air fault. The Hainan Airlines Airbus A330-300 was four hours into its flight from Beijing when trouble struck high over freezing Siberia early this morning (Saturday).
Sensors flagged a “mechanical fault” mid-flight, forcing the captain to issue an emergency prompt and circle several times over the Siberian city of Divnogorsk.
Russian emergency services scrambled to full alert on the tarmac as the stricken seven-year-old jet made a tense approach into Krasnoyarsk. Thankfully, the aircraft touched down safely without any further incident.
A statement by the Russian Emergencies Ministry said: “No deaths or injuries were reported. The aircraft and ground infrastructure sustained no damage.”
The airline confirmed a “mechanical fault” forced the early morning emergency landing, but kept tight-lipped on the exact nature of the problem that triggered the mid-air scare.
Russian authorities similarly downplayed the incident as a “technical malfunction”. Passengers on board included both British and Chinese nationals, according to local reports.
However, neither Hainan Airlines nor Krasnoyarsk officials have released an official breakdown of passenger nationalities.
“Fifty-one personnel and 15 vehicles were dispatched to the scene, including 39 personnel and 11 vehicles from the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations,” said a Russian statement.
Flight HU753 landed safely at Krasnoyarsk at 6:28am local time (12.28am British Summer Time), said the airline.
“Immediately after landing, an English- and Chinese-speaking airport employees began working,” said a Russian statement.
“At the direction of the Krasnoyarsk Airport CEO, passengers and crew are being provided full support. Agents from the passenger transportation service, including linguists, are on site.
“According to the airline, a backup aircraft will be dispatched to continue the flight to Krasnoyarsk.”
The emergency landing comes amid the war with Ukraine and a collapse in relations between Britain and Russia.
The unexpected diversion left any British passengers stranded in a country to which the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel.
The warning cites security incidents, the risk of detention and Britain’s limited ability to provide consular support, although those aboard HU753 had not voluntarily travelled to Russia.
Unlike British and EU airlines, which are barred from Russian airspace and avoid it on safety grounds, Chinese carriers continue to use the shorter trans-Siberian route to Europe.
Krasnoyarsk is a major Siberian industrial city of about 1.2 million people on the Yenisei River some 2,100 miles east of Moscow.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin last visited the city 12 days ago when he soaked up the choreographed adulation of children as they chanted “Putin! Putin! Putin!”.
Hainan Airways said: “On 15 August 2026, our flight HU753 (Beijing–Manchester) diverted to Krasnoyarsk International Airport in Russia due to a mechanical fault.
“The flight landed safely at 07:28 Beijing time. The company plans to replace the aircraft to operate the onward flight.
“We will properly arrange passenger service support to ensure safe arrival at the destination. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to passengers.
“Hainan Airlines always adheres to the principles of safety first and passengers first, providing safe, comfortable and efficient services.”