Major airline bans two devices over fears they will explode mid-flight

A major airline has introduced an urgent ban on pagers and walkie talkies following an escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

The devices of Hezbollah members were blown up by the Israeli government, killing 42 people and injuring more than 3,000 on September 17.

This has prompted Emirates Airlines to implement an urgent ban on all of these devices, meaning none are allowed to be taken onto their aircraft either in hand or checked baggage.

A statement on the Emirates website reads: ‘All Passengers travelling on flights to, from or via Dubai are prohibited from transporting pagers and walkie talkies in checked or cabin baggage.

‘Such items found in passengers’ hand luggage or checked baggage will be confiscated by Dubai Police.’

Elijah J Magnier, a Brussels-based senior political risk analyst, said the pagers all vibrated and beeped for ten seconds, but when the user pressed the button to cancel the alert, they detonated.

The airline has also ended all flights to Lebanon amid escalating air strikes and a ground invasion being carried out by Israeli forces.

British citizens have been urged to evacuate the country, with the first flight carrying those who have chosen to leave landing in Birmingham on Thursday evening.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the safety of British citizens in Lebanon ‘continues to be our utmost priority’ and that more chartered flights will leave over the coming days.

He added: ‘The situation in Lebanon is volatile and has potential to deteriorate quickly.

‘That’s why the UK government is chartering a flight to help those wanting to leave.

‘It is vital that you leave now as further evacuation may not be guaranteed.’

There are around up to 6,000 Brits believed to still be in Lebanon, many of whom have been left unable to book flights out of the country due to cancellations and skyrocketing prices.

People are shelling out thousands of pounds to secure a seat on private luxury yachts departing from Lebanon to nearby Cyprus.

When asked what he would say to British nationals who have not yet fled the country, Lammy said: ‘I urge them to leave because the situation on the ground is fast-moving.

‘While we will do everything we can to protect British nationals and those plans are in place to do so, we cannot anticipate the circumstances of the speed with which we could do that if things escalate in a major way over the coming hours and days.’

The Israeli military has warned people in Lebanon to evacuate around 50 villages and towns in the south as it intensifies its bombing campaign against Hezbollah and prepares for a full-scale invasion of the sovereign nation.

Airstrikes in Beirut have displaced millions and forced people to congregate in the centre of the Lebanese capital, as people seek to flee the besieged country.

Around 1,900 people have been killed and an estimated 9,000 people have been wounded by the IDF across Lebanon in recent months, with Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to increase military action against Hezbollah.

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