The Belgian military plane that departed from Cologne (Germany) on Wednesday to bring back Belgians from Lebanon had to turn around due to a technical defect, the Defence Ministry announced.
The plane took off from the Cologne military airport shortly after noon, heading for the Lebanese capital Beirut.
"However, above the Adriatic Sea, the plane had to turn around due to technical problems with one of the engines. The A330 landed safely at the Cologne military airport around 15:00," Defence said.
The plane was carrying €150,000 worth of medical equipment intended for the Lebanese government as part of Belgium's B-FAST rapid intervention system. The flight was due to return on Wednesday evening with Belgians and possibly other European citizens on board.
The passengers involved have been informed of the delay in the meantime, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with passengers who were due to take the flight to Brussels. On-site, they are looking into whether a new flight can be operated in the foreseeable future.
