Passengers Evacuated From Qantas Plane in Sydney After 'Haze' Reported in Cabin

Passengers used emergency slides to evacuate a Qantas plane at Sydney Airport on December 15 after a thick, smoke-like haze reportedly filled the cabin.

The Perth-bound flight had to turn back not long after takeoff after problems with its hydraulic system, according to the airline.

“Once back at the gate, the captain made the decision to evacuate the aircraft as a precaution and three emergency slides were deployed. Passengers were evacuated through both the slides and normal exits,” Qantas said in a statement.

In an update following an inspection of the plane by engineers, the airline said a haze in the cabin – which some passengers reported as smoke – was likely caused by hydraulic fluid entering the air conditioning system.

“While customers may have thought it was smoke, there was no fire,” the statement said. Two passengers were treated for injuries from using the slides, while others reported sore eyes and itchy throats after the incident, it added. Credit: kellguerard via Storyful