Plane passengers scream in harrowing mid-flight video as violent shaking sends cabin ceiling panels flying

A Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737 experienced severe turbulence shortly after takeoff from Mashhad, Iran, on a Tuesday flight bound for Kermanshah. Video footage showed the aircraft shaking violently, after which overhead bins and ceiling panels gave way, raining debris onto the cabin. Passengers described hearing screams and prayers as they shielded themselves from the falling material.

The flight crew declared an emergency and diverted the plane back to Mashhad Hashemi Nejad International Airport. The aircraft touched down without further incident, and authorities confirmed that none of the 127 passengers or crew members sustained injuries.

Preliminary reports suggest the disturbance may have stemmed from engine damage and a tire blowout that occurred during the initial climb. Following the landing, one of the airport’s two runways was temporarily closed while investigators examined the aircraft and gathered evidence. All travelers were subsequently re‑booked onto another flight to continue their journey to Kermanshah.

The episode has renewed attention on the challenges facing Iran’s commercial aviation sector. International sanctions have limited the country’s ability to acquire newer Western‑built jets, genuine spare parts and modern maintenance resources, leaving many airlines to operate aging fleets and perform complex repairs in‑house. Aviation officials have said an investigation into the cause of the turbulence and cabin failure is under way.