THE first UK government charter flight meant to rescue Britons from the war-torn Middle East has reportedly failed to take off last night.
Exhausted families were left stranded after hours of chaos as the widening Iran war sends thousands scrambling to get home.
The plane was due to depart Muscat, Oman, at 11pm local time (7pm UK time) on Wednesday.
But passengers instead endured what one traveller called a “total shambles” after a string of delays, technical problems and confusion.
The flight never left the runway and has now reportedly been pushed back until later today.
One passenger told Sky News: “[The] check-in process took about four hours due to technical issues.
“We then got taken to the plane on a bus but had to stay on it for about one-and-a-half hours.
“No consular staff were present airside. They just left us.
“People started getting very agitated, banging windows, panic attacks.
“There are dozens and dozens of vulnerable people, young children and families.”
Evacuees were eventually sent back to a hotel after the pilot was unable to fly.
The passenger said they were told the delay meant “the pilot had clocked his hours so needed to rest.”
They added: “We have been told the plane will take off later today [Thursday] once the pilot has rested.
“The stress this has caused these vulnerable people is incredibly serious.”
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