MASHHAD, Iran, Sept. 16 — Passengers aboard a Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737 experienced moments of panic after severe vibrations caused sections of the aircraft’s cabin ceiling lining and overhead compartments to come loose during a domestic flight.

The aircraft was operating from Mashhad to Kermanshah when the incident occurred shortly after takeoff. Preliminary reports indicate that the tread separated from one of the aircraft’s landing-gear tyres, followed by an emergency involving the aircraft’s engine and intense vibrations.

Videos recorded inside the cabin showed passengers reacting as ceiling panels and other interior components became detached and fell into the cabin. Overhead bins were also seen shaking violently as the aircraft returned toward Mashhad.

The flight crew declared an emergency and safely landed the Boeing 737 at Mashhad’s Shahid Hasheminejad Airport. All passengers and crew members were reported safe, with no injuries reported. Passengers were subsequently transferred to another aircraft to continue their journey to Kermanshah.

Iranian aviation officials said the exact technical cause remains under investigation. Officials have also clarified that early descriptions of a “tyre burst” may be inaccurate, with one account stating that the tyre tread separated from the wheel rather than the tyre itself exploding.

The dramatic footage has attracted significant attention online. However, the available video shows damage to interior cabin panels and fittings, rather than evidence that the aircraft's primary fuselage or structural roof collapsed.

Authorities are expected to examine the landing-gear event, reported engine problem and severe vibrations to establish the precise sequence of failures.