( CNN ) -- A reported arsonist on board an Etihad Airways flight is being blamed for an emergency landing . According to Etihad Airways , flight EY461 from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi had to make an emergency stop in Jakarta on Monday after smoke was detected in bathrooms mid-flight . `` It was very smoky , and it felt like the aircraft had filled with smoke , '' said passenger Sarah Jefferey , as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald . `` When smoke was detected in two of the toilets ... the captain decided to divert the aircraft as a precautionary measure and land in Jakarta in order to allow the authorities to assist him to conduct a security assessment of the situation , '' said the airline in a statement . After a search of the aircraft , passengers and carry-on luggage , the flight took off from Jakarta , continuing to Abu Dhabi . Etihad Airways , the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates , did n't say whether any passengers were removed from the flight in Jakarta . According to an updated statement from the airline , 12 passengers are being held by Abu Dhabi security authorities . No arrests have been made . More smoke . Despite strict controls over passenger movements instituted by the pilot , that was n't the end of the smoking bathrooms . Yet another toilet smoke alarm went off two hours before arrival in Abu Dhabi . At this point , flight attendants ceased normal service to take up watch at each restroom and to monitor passenger access , said the airline . The plane landed in Abu Dhabi four hours behind schedule . No injuries were reported . First person account . While Etihad Airways ' official statement made no mention of an arsonist -- simply noting that smoke had been detected on board -- several passengers say they were told upon landing in Jakarta that someone had started fires on the plane . Passenger Graham Foote , a singer traveling to Abu Dhabi for a performance , told CNN he became aware of the issue when cabin lights suddenly came on five hours into the flight . `` I looked at the inflight map and discovered that we were 90 minutes out from our destination , which seemed unusual given it 's a 13-hour flight , '' said Foote . `` The captain then came over the intercom and announced that there had been a security breach and that we were diverting to Jakarta . '' Other passengers say the reason for the diversion was explained to them only after landing in Jakarta . `` Upon arrival in Jakarta , we were told that a passenger had attempted to light two fires on the aircraft , '' said Foote . When more smoke began coming from the bathroom following the Jakarta takeoff , all semblance of normal service -- including food and drink service -- was abandoned . `` Approximately two hours ( away ) from Abu Dhabi , we were informed that the arsonist had made another attempt and that all service was to be suspended , '' said Foote . `` The cabin staff also further restricted bathroom access at this point , checking the trash and toilet after every passenger had been inside . '' Suspects . While the Sydney Morning Herald reports that a female passenger is a suspect , Foote said that two men `` of Middle Eastern origin '' seemed to be the subjects of investigation and were detained by police upon arrival in Abu Dhabi . `` One of the guys had a very nervous demeanor and intermittently changed seats throughout the flight from directly in front of me to another vacant seat with his travel companion , '' said Foote . `` During the first flight , when he entered the bathroom about seven staff members were congregated around the area , two of whom held fire extinguishers . '' Upon landing at Abu Dhabi Airport , all passengers and crew were interviewed by authorities . Etihad Airways has not commented on suspects , stating only that the event is still under investigation . Abu Dhabi police are also investigating the incident . Passengers have lauded the airline 's crew for rising to the occasion . Passenger Paul Ross wrote to CNN praising the airplane crew 's response . `` The crew on this flight should be highly commended , '' wrote Ross . `` They dealt with these incidents with complete professionalism . They ensured there was no panic and kept passengers on the plane calm and settled . '' Foote called the crew 's response `` extraordinary . '' As for his own state of mind during the episode , Foote said that the flight felt `` so surreal it did n't really feel dangerous . '' `` Like most passengers on board , my biggest reaction was frustration at the delay and anger toward the person or persons who were attempting to light the fire . ''
Abu Dhabi from Jakarta to Flight EY461 made emergency landing in Melbourne . Cause of emergency landing reportedly a passenger setting fires in bathrooms . Plane reached Abu Dhabi 90 minutes behind schedule .