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Passengers tell of horror as 'shuddering' Malaysia Airlines flight forced to turn around

Malaysia Airlines: Passengers have described their panic as the aircraft began to shake: AP
Malaysia Airlines: Passengers have described their panic as the aircraft began to shake: AP

Passengers on board a Malaysian Airlines flight have described their panic as the plane was forced to divert after it was left “shuddering” due to a technical fault.

Flight MH122 was travelling from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur when it was forced to turn back not far from Broome, in Australia's north-west, on Thursday.

The plane, which was carrying 224 people, landed safely at Alice Springs Airport just before 5:50pm local time.

But passengers have said the plane was shaking and making loud noises, with some bursting in to tears in the “terrifying moment”.

Chris Kanani, the husband of a passenger, told ABC News his wife had described the experience as “hell”.

“She said she was on the loo when she started hearing loud banging noises from the righthand side of the plane and that’s when all it started,” Mr Kanani said

“It was like hell, this flight, and they were told to be ready for an emergency landing.”

Another passenger said he saw people praying and others crying. He told the BBC: "It was shaking and vibrating and the noise was getting louder and louder.

"Some people were praying and people had tears in their eyes. It was a really terrifying moment."

In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said the jet had been diverted for "technical reasons".