Police detained a man who tried to open an aircraft’s emergency exit during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi, causing panic among passengers, The Star reports.

The incident occurred late Wednesday night aboard a Batik Air Boeing 737 operating flight OD231. According to a police statement, 36-year-old Jamshir Athanikkal, who was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi, kicked and damaged the inner panel of the emergency exit window and attempted to open the door.

Police said the man also threatened passengers and crew members. The situation was brought under control after passengers and flight attendants intervened and restrained him.

After the plane landed in Kochi, the man was taken into custody by Kerala state police. The case was opened following a complaint filed by a Batik Air security employee.

Passenger Matty Matthew said on social media that most people were asleep when they were awakened by the sound of air entering the cabin. According to him, the passenger seated by the emergency exit smashed the window and tried to tamper with the door mechanism.

Matthew said the door did not open because of the aircraft’s design and the pressure difference in the cabin. After that, passengers and crew held the man down.

“It was an extremely terrifying experience, but thankfully, we are all safe,” the passenger wrote.

The man has been charged with criminal intimidation, violating air transport safety requirements, and acts endangering public safety. The investigation is ongoing.