A Middle East Airlines (MEA) passenger plane bound from Jordan to Beirut was hit by a stray bullet while landing in Beirut on Thursday, with no injuries reported.
MEA Chairman Mohamad El-Hout told Reuters that seven to eight stationary planes are hit by stray bullets shot from areas neighbouring Beirut airport each year, but the latest incident was the first time this had occurred while a plane was moving.
Celebratory gunfire is a common occurrence in Lebanon, where gun ownership is widespread and weapons are fired to mark speeches by politicians and the release of official exam results, among other events.
"These practices of shooting in the air in Lebanon must be stopped ... it is a source of danger to air traffic and the airport," Hout said.
Lebanese lawmaker Paula Yacoubian was on the flight and shared images on her Twitter page appearing to show a hole in the fuselage of the plane.
She said she was sitting in seat 2F when the incident occurred "right above my head".
Six killed in Houthi attack on ship; US strikes vessel in Gulf of Oman
Rain pounds Beijing as Typhoon Dolphin sweeps through China
At least 2 dead, nearly a million without power after severe US Midwest storms
Zimbabwe boat accident death toll rises to 44
One dead, 172 rescued after Indonesian ferry from Bali catches fire
