EasyJet plane makes emergency landing after 'stewardess punched' over a sandwich

An angry passenger allegedly punched a stewardess, forcing an easyJet plane to land because he wanted a sandwich.

The man was enraged because he did not get a snack and shouted: "I've been waiting for hours, I'm hungry!" He then punched a stewardess, according to passengers who witnessed the incident.

He continued to attack her even after she fell to the floor and only stopped when other passengers intervened and overpowered the man.

The stewardess needed medical attention at the airport and had her glasses broken. She later filed a complaint for assault.

"I was totally shocked. I can't understand how anyone could react so violently over a sandwich," she told Swiss newspaper 20 Minutes.

The 40-year-old man was arrested after the flight was diverted to Rome. The 180 passengers were originally travelling from Geneva to Pristina in Kosovo.

A spokesman for the airline said: "EasyJet can confirm that flight EZS1483 from Geneva to Pristina on 31 March diverted to Rome as a result of a passenger onboard behaving in a disruptive manner.

"The aircraft was met by the police on arrival in Rome and the passenger was arrested.

"The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet's priority."

After the delay, the 180 passengers were flown on to Pristina in Kosovo on a separate flight later in the afternoon.