MOMENT PASSENGER SLAPS ‘THIEF’ ON FLIGHT AFTER WATCHING HIM ‘STEAL BAG FROM OVERHEAD CABIN’

A furious passenger was filmed in dramatic footage slapping a 'thief' who he caught stealing from the overhead cabin during a flight.The video has been making its rounds on social media over the weekend, with the reportedly Chinese man seen standing up and reaching into the overhead compartment above his seat.
The incident, which allegedly took place during a Mahan flight from Tehran to Dubai, saw the reported thief rummaging through the bag unaware that its Iranian owner was filming from behind.
After closing the compartment and sitting back in his seat, the Iranian man stands up and storms over to the 'thief' to confront him on his actions.
The alleged Chinese man is filmed looking through the brown bag, not knowing its owner was now standing directly behind his seat.
The Iranian man can be seen reaching towards his bag while pointing at the reported thief as other flyers watch on.
He pushes the alarm button above his seat to alert plane staff before slapping him three times across the face as the perpetrator attempts to hide behind his arm.
Several other passengers can be seen turned in their seats to catch a glimpse of the commotion while the Iranian man continues to slap and hit the flyer.
Eventually, he is pulled out of his seat while speaking to the angry Iranian as another passenger retrieves the bag from the holidaymaker.
The Iranian man appears to be trying to reach into the pocket of the hoodie of the alleged Chinese man as he stuffs his fists in, restricting access.  
The pair tussle back-and-forth for a moment before the 'thief' is directed towards the front of the aircraft before the footage ends.
The clip has made its rounds on social media, with several flyers leaving comments regarding their concern with thieves on flights.
One account on X wrote alongside the footage: 'Previously, Taiwan's Taoyuan Airport and Singapore Airport have caught Chinese air theft gangs.
'Now, flights to Europe and those transiting through Dubai have successively caught Chinese individuals stealing others' belongings.
'Below is a video where the Chinese thief keeps getting slapped. To all friends planning to travel abroad, never put valuable items in the overhead compartment, beware of Chinese thieves - they're right beside you!'.
Another added: 'In any Middle Eastern country, theft is considered a very serious crime and dishonorable act. It will result in imprisonment and deportation'.
A third shared their personal experience: 'This is really true. My colleague was transferring flights in Thailand, and their luggage was stolen from the overhead rack.
'But someone saw it and alerted them. In the end, when getting off the plane, they stopped the thief, and the thief had no choice but to return the items.
'Both the person who stole and the one who warned about the thief were Chinese'.