A woman mistakenly opened the emergency door of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight at Manchester Airport.

The plane was due to set off for Islamabad but crew had to evacuate dozens of passengers it has been reported.

The woman narrowly escaped falling from the plane. The Express News earlier reported that the woman had thought the emergency exit door led to the toilet.

A PIA spokesperson said, “The PIA flight, PK 702, from Manchester to Islamabad was delayed by seven hours. The departure was delayed on Friday night when a passenger erroneously opened the emergency exit causing the emergency chute to activate.”

“As per standard operating procedure, the PIA had to offload nearly 40 passengers and their luggage”

Passengers were provided transportation and hotel accommodation.

PIA have ordered an inquiry into the incident.