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A Virgin Atlantic aircraft carrying champion diver Tom Daley had to made an emergency landing in Russia after “a technical issue”.
Daley and his partner Dustin Lance Black were among 301 people on the Airbus A340 which had to put down in the Siberian city of Irkutsk, on a flight from Shanghai to London, the Press Association reported.
Daley, who was returning after competing in the world diving championships in Shanghai, wrote on Instagram: “Just had to make an emergency landing in Irkutsk, Russia on the way back from Shanghai. Here’s the pic of the fuel dump before landing.”
The swimmer is due to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the diving competition starts on July 30.
A Virgin spokeswoman said: “Virgin Atlantic can confirm that the VS251 travelling from Shanghai to London Heathrow has diverted to Irkutsk airport, Russia, as a precautionary measure due to a technical issue. Safety and security is always our top priority.”