Russian Plane Survivors Grabbed Luggage In Middle Of Evacuation

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Some Passengers Get Slammed For Grabbing Luggage During Russian Plane Tragedy That Killed 41 People

More info is surfacing about the Russian airplane tragedy on Sunday that claimed the lives of 41 people, and things are not looking pretty.

According to USA Today, many witnesses report that some passengers went after their luggage when the Aeroflot flight burst into flames during a crash landing. The Association of Flight Attendants warned against saving carry-on luggage in the midst of an emergency evacuation. In a statement about the Aeroflot disaster, they explained:

“Reports from people on the plane indicate the evacuation may have been slowed by passengers grabbing their bags. Videos show passengers taking their carry-on bags with them as they exited the plane. We will never know if more lives could have been saved if the bags were left behind.”

AFA went on to honor flight attendant Maxim Moiseyev who died in the line of duty trying to save passengers on the Aeroflot flight.

A plane map of those who perished during the crisis started circling around the Internet, sparking further outrage for anyone who tried to grab their luggage during evacuation.

The people in red are those who died.

According to ABC, Mikhail Savchenko was on board when the Aeroflot plane burst into flames, and he posted a clip from the ground, showing people running from the burning wreck with what looked like luggage in their hands.

“I do not know what to say about people who ran out with bags,” Savchenko wrote on Facebook in a translated post. “God is their judge.”

The issue of carry-on luggage being a safety hazard isn’t new either. Checked baggage fees have resulted in more carry-ons that clog cabins. Past plane evacuations have also revealed passengers fleeing with luggage in Shanghai, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York and Dubai, according to USA Today. 

The Federal Aviation Administration clearly states, “In the unlikely event that you need to evacuate, leave your bags and personal items behind. Your luggage is not worth your life.”

The U.S. airline crew members are trained to evacuate a commercial flight within 90 seconds, and every bit of those seconds are impactful. With people not following directions and safety procedures, it’s now possible warning and safety briefings might be enhanced. Others have also suggested automatic locking devices on overhead bins, although experts warn against the unintended consequences of keeping safety equipment locked up or isolating fires inside the bins.

Whatever the solution may be, clearly there’s a need. No more lives can be lost because of an electronic device, luggage, wallet or anything else blocking a safe evacuation.