Passengers evacuate AirAsia A320 via slides, carrying bags

An AirAsia Airbus A320 made an emergency landing Monday at Langkawi, with passengers disembarking via 3 slides. The aircraft was operating flight AK9327 for Kuala Lumpur, said the airline. It cites a “technical issue” for the turn-back. Media reports, citing a spokesman at Langkawi International Airport, say the aircraft turned back 3 minutes into the flight. Video on social media shows passengers, carrying luggage, evacuating down the 2 forward slides as well as the left rear slide. It does not appear that the emergency exits located above the wings were opened, or the right rear door. The video suggests a certain lack of urgency. Passengers remained relatively close to the aircraft after evacuating, and there are no signs of smoke or fire. A ground power unit is also visible near the aircraft’s forward landing gear. <br/>