Man slapped non-stop on Bangkok-Kolkata flight

New Delhi: The violent assault of a man onboard a Bangkok-India flight, a video of which has gone viral, started after the passenger refused to follow the cabin crew's safety instructions, the airlines has said.

Thai Smile Airways has stated that the assault took place on December 26 before the Kolkata-bound flight took off from Thailand, according to NDTV report..

The crew asked passengers to adjust their seats to the upright position for take-off -- a standard safety procedure also followed on domestic flights. One of the passengers, the report said, refused to adjust his seat, saying he has a backache.

The crew, the report said, repeatedly requested the passenger and also explained to him the rationale behind adjusting the seat during take-off and landing. They told him that in the case of an emergency, a reclined seat can make evacuation difficult. Also, a reclined seat can make it difficult for the passenger to get into the bracing position recommended for emergency landings.

Despite the repeated requests, the passenger did not comply and remained seated with his seat reclined. He was also told that the crew would be forced to inform the captain if he did not follow the rules. The passenger, the report said, told the crew that they are free to tell the captain but he would not adjust his seat. Soon, other fliers started complaining about the passenger. One of them got into an argument with him that soon escalated into an assault.

The video shows several passengers ganging up to thrash the passenger who had refused to adjust his seat. The passenger does not hit back and is seen trying to defend himself as the crew and others on the flight try to stop the assault.

The airlines' report said take-off was delayed after the captain was informed about the incident. As soon as the violence stopped, the crew ensured that the passengers involved returned to their seats and the aircraft left for Kolkata.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) said it is inquiring about the video clip of a scuffle between passengers onboard a plane from Bangkok to Kolkata earlier this week.

The video clip of the scuffle where a passenger was being slapped multiple times by a few co-passengers was shared on social media on Wednesday. "BCAS has taken cognisance of the video. We have started inquiring and further action will be taken depending on the inquiry outcome," BCAS Director General Zulfiquar Hasan told PTI on Thursday.