Passengers on a flight from the US to Sydney have been stranded in American Samoa after the plane made an emergency landing with engine problems.
More than 300 passengers are believed to remain at the Pago Pago airport after United Airlines Flight 839 touched down around midnight Friday.
United Airlines said it was making arrangements to accommodate passengers on the island.
“Today’s flight was diverted to Pago Pago to resolve a mechanical issue,” a statement from the airline read.
“We are using our facilities, including available hotel options, to host our clients and will be flying a new aircraft to the island so they can complete their trip to Sydney
soon. “
Relatives of the passengers said on Twitter that locals on the island were taking care of those on board.
“My daughter is trapped right now,” one man tweeted.
“They (passengers) showered on hangers, toured the islands, drank beers on deserted beaches.”
Another woman, who said her son and grandson were on board, said a replacement flight was expected in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Just spoke to (my son) and he said Samoans (sic) are very generous (as always) and everyone is taken care of before flying off tomorrow morning,” she wrote.
Pago Pago is the territorial capital of American Samoa, located on the country’s main island, Tutuila.
there are more.
