German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was stuck in Abu Dhabi after her plane faced mechanical difficulties early on Monday.
Following a stopover to refuel in Abu Dhabi, the flight carrying Baerbock and her delegation had to dump fuel and turn around.
The German Air Force said its crew was working to ensure Baerbock can continue her trip, which also includes stops in New Zealand and Fiji, and would issue more information when the Airbus A340 was ready to go.
Baerbock was on her way to Australia to kick off a week-long trip to the Pacific region.
A German Foreign Office spokesman Sebastian Fischer said “Due to a mechanical problem, we have to return to Abu Dhabi for safety reasons. Options for further travel arrangements are currently being clarified.”
Patrick Diekman, a journalist traveling with the foreign minister, tweeted that the plane damage must first be determined.
Diekman added that the crew could not continue flying immediately for labor law reasons.
