Chinese airliner rewards crew, passengers for taming arsonist

Shenzhen Airlines rewarded nine crew members with a cash award of USD 400,000 and each of the two passengers has been awarded USD 25,000 for their attempts to stop the man from carrying out his violent act, state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.

The man was tamed by crew and fellow passengers, after he set a seat on fire on flight ZH9648 carrying more than 100 people from Taizhou City of east China’s Zhejiang Province as the plane was landing in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in southern Guangdong Province on July 26.

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According to a statement released by the airline, a flight attendant smelled the gas, noticed liquid traces on two seats and immediately reported it to other crew members.

When the knife-wielding man lit the fire, the crew members put it out immediately and fought him.

The two passengers helped the flight attendants apprehend the arsonist using pillows and baggage.

The police so far has not released any details of the identity of the passenger nor the reasons for his violent behaviour.

Two officials have been sacked and Taizhou airport taken out of operation in Zhejiang Province for negligence.

Carrying lighters on flights in China is strictly banned in view of attempts by Uygur militants from Xinjiang to hijack or damage the planes.