SWISS airbus A350 declares emergency, diverts to Almaty Photo

A SWISS International Air Lines Airbus A350 operating a flight from Seoul to Zurich issued a distress signal while flying over central Kazakhstan, prompting an emergency diversion.

The flight, identified as LX123, departed from Incheon International Airport at 2:52 a.m. Central European Time and was cruising at an altitude of around 11,600 metres over the Karaganda region when the crew transmitted a general emergency code, Kazakh media reports.

The pilot activated the Squawk 7700 transponder code, which signals a general emergency onboard an aircraft. The incident occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time while the aircraft was en route.

Following the emergency declaration, the aircraft turned back and diverted to Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan. It landed at 9:49 a.m. Central European Time, after which it exited the runway and proceeded to the apron area.

The reason for the emergency signal and diversion has not yet been disclosed. 

By Sabina Mammadli