London flight plunges 20,000ft

A Qantas flight from London made an emergency landing in the Philippines today after plunging 20,000ft, it was reported today.

On landing airport authorities discovered a big hole in the Boeing 747-400’s fuselage near the right wing.

There were no injuries following the incident, but some of the 350 passengers vomited after disembarking, said Manila International Airport Authority deputy manager for operations Octavio Lina.

“There is a big hole on the right side near the wing,” he said, adding it was 2.5 to 3 yards in diameter.

Flight QF 30, on its way to Melbourne, Australia, was an hour from Hong Kong when oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling during the incident.

The flooring gave way, exposing some of the cargo beneath, he said. The ceiling around the area also collapsed.

“Upon disembarkation, there were some passengers who vomited. You can see in their faces that they were really scared,” he said.

Passengers who talked to the media at the airport described hearing an explosion, followed by oxygen masks dropping from the ceiling.

According to Australia’s Herald Sun Online, passengers said the plane plunged 20,000 feet after the incident.

Passengers were being put up in hotels while the aircraft was being repaired.