A woman caused a disturbance on a flight and attacked a member of the cabin crew.

The passenger on Beibu Gulf Airlines Flight GX8824 reportedly hurled abuse at the crew after being asked to stow her tray table and fasten her seatbelt before take-off at Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin, China, on November 7.

The woman allegedly claimed to be a teacher at Harbin Normal University and proceeded to belittle the flight attendant. She then grabbed the attendant's hair and arm, striking them.

This prompted other crew members to call the police to escort the passenger off the plane. However, she refused to leave, causing a delay of about an hour.

Local media reported that the woman was in poor mental health, and her family later picked her up after police intervention.

On November 8, the Propaganda Department of the Party Committee of Harbin Normal University clarified that the woman is neither a teacher nor a student at the university.

School staff said that the online rumours had damaged the institution's reputation.