Immigrants' determination to find a better life in Europe has led to an exceptional case of plane landing, mass flight, and paralysis of one of Spain's busiest airports.
Spanish police have opened an investigation after a group of passengers on a plane from Morocco to Turkey on Friday staged a medical emergency in order to make the plane land in the Spanish city.
After the crew felt the help of the passenger - who was impersonating someone suffering from a diabetic coma - it was decided that it was indeed necessary to land in the Spanish city to treat his condition.
Immediately after landing, the people who were apparently part of the scam fled into the air.
Of the group that disappeared, 12 were arrested by the Spanish police, and after 12 more a manhunt is underway.
The impersonating passenger was evacuated by ambulance, but was found to be in good health and was immediately arrested for violating immigration laws.
"We have never had such a case at any airport in Spain," said Spanish government representative on the resort island, Ina Calvo.
The manhunt and arrests caused disruptions that led to the airport being paralyzed from noon until midnight on Friday.
Most of the detainees are deported, and one of them, according to police estimates, is Palestinian.
It is still unclear whether this is a pre-planned move or a spontaneous move, Calvo said, nor is it clear whether all the infiltrators did act in a coordinated manner.
"The investigation is underway," they added.
