News: Smoke scare forces Etihad flight from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi to divert to Jakarta

An Etihad flight attendant helps a visitor sit in a mock cabin lounge seat.

An Etihad Airways flight from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi is being investigated after a "series of incidents" forced it to make an emergency landing in Jakarta.
Flight EY 461 arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night, four hours behind schedule, after smoke alarms went off twice during the flight.
The airline released a statement saying the captain decided to divert the flight to Jakarta after smoke was seen billowing from one of the toilets. The flight resumed after a security check in the Indonesian capital.
However, two hours before the plane was due to land in Abu Dhabi, another smoke alarm sounded, sparking more panic on board. The captain then enforced "strict controls" on passenger movement, positioning crew members outside the toilets, Bloomberg reported.

"The smoke was detected and dealt with immediately by the crew," Etihad said.
"The captain decided to position crew members at each of the toilets which meant that normal cabin service was not possible.

"The food and beverage service was discontinued and the crew continued to monitor and secure toilet access for the remainder of the flight."
Authorities in  Abu Dhabi are investigating the incident.
“The events that occurred during the flight remain under investigation. Etihad Airways is assisting the authorities to complete this as soon as possible,” the carrier said.

Terrified passengers have spoken of their panic.
One passenger, Sarah Jeffrey, told Fairfax Media she heard a "loud alarm, a flashing red light and rushing crew members".
"I looked and saw flames coming from the bin in the toilet, and two cabin crew members put it out," she said.
Professional golfer Caroline Martens shared her experience on Instagram.
"Traveling is not always a danse on roses.... Try having someone set the plane of fire, in two different places, having to emergency land in Jakarta, get back on after hours of investigations, for the IDIOT to set three more fires in three more toilets while mid-air and nowhere to land!!!!!" she posted on the social network.