Rio-bound Boeing 777 returns to Amsterdam over tech issue

An unspecified technical problem forced the Rio-bound Boeing aircraft to turn back shortly after takeoff from Amsterdam. The US aviation giant is facing public pressure following a series of safety issues.

A Boeing 777 aircraft, intended to reach Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, turned around and landed back in Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport shortly after takeoff on Sunday, reporting an unspecified technical issue.

Flight KLM705, operated by Dutch airline KLM, landed safely. A spokesperson for Dutch air traffic control the plane requested to land as a precaution and turned around over Belgium some 40 minutes after takeoff. The nature of the technical problem was undisclosed.

The airline said the safety of passengers and crew were never at risk. The passengers would be flown to Rio de Janeiro on another aircraft on Sunday.