Egyptian Migrant Swallows Vape Battery to Disrupt Deportation Flight and Forces Cancellation in the United Kingdom

In a dramatic and unusual turn of events, an Egyptian migrant reportedly swallowed a vape battery in a desperate attempt to avoid being deported from the United Kingdom.

The incident occurred just hours before he was due to board a private flight scheduled to take him first to Albania, and then onward to Egypt.

Officials have described the man as a foreign national offender with a history of disruption during previous removal attempts.

The situation escalated while he was held in segregated detention in the days leading up to the flight, when he was allowed access to a vape device.

In a dangerous move, he ingested the lithium battery, leading to an immediate hospital admission.

Fortunately, he was treated successfully and returned to detention, resulting in the cancellation of the deportation flight.

Investigation Underway

Mitie, the Home Office contractor responsible for managing overseas deportations, confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

A spokesperson told reporters, “This incident is currently being investigated.

At this point, there is no evidence to suggest any wrongdoing or breach of procedure by our colleagues.

Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of those in our care.”

The Home Office also emphasized that disruptive behavior will not prevent deportation, stating that they will continue with the process “as soon as it is possible to do so.”

The exact financial cost of cancelling the flight is unknown, but chartering private planes for deportation purposes can reportedly cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Background on Deportation Flights

Most deportation flights from the UK first land in Albania before continuing to African countries such as Nigeria and Ghana.

In this particular case, the flight was intended to take the migrant directly to Egypt. Disruption on these flights is not unheard of.

In some cases, the Home Office has reportedly offered cash incentives to unruly passengers to avoid delays and additional expenses.

Last year, for example, migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu was offered £500 after threatening to disrupt his deportation from the UK to Ethiopia.

Kebatu, who had been jailed for sexually assaulting a schoolgirl and a woman while living in a taxpayer-funded migrant hotel, had briefly escaped custody before being re-arrested.

The payment was made to prevent a delayed flight that could have cost the taxpayer significantly more in legal and operational expenses.

Health and Safety Considerations

Sources at Mitie stressed that they adhere to strict health and safety policies to ensure the welfare of both detainees and staff.

Lithium batteries, like those in vapes, pose serious health risks if ingested, which is why the man was immediately hospitalized.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by authorities in managing deportation procedures, particularly with individuals who have a history of disruptive behavior.

What’s Next?

Authorities are expected to resume deportation proceedings once the individual is deemed fit to travel.

The Home Office has indicated that they will continue to follow strict protocols to prevent further disruption, while balancing the safety and security of staff and other passengers.

It remains unclear whether this incident will prompt any changes to current procedures for handling high-risk detainees or the provision of certain items, such as vapes, in detention settings.

Summary

An Egyptian migrant swallowed a vape battery to avoid deportation, resulting in hospitalization and the cancellation of a chartered flight to Egypt via Albania.

The man has a history of disruptive behavior, and the incident is under investigation by Mitie, the Home Office contractor managing deportations.

While the financial impact of the cancelled flight is unknown, private deportation flights can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Authorities are committed to resuming the deportation as soon as possible while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

This case underscores the recurring challenges in deportation logistics and the sometimes extreme lengths individuals may go to avoid removal from the UK.