Chinese stowaway found in cargo of Dubai-bound Emirates flight

A Chinese teenager was found hiding in the cargo compartment of an Emirates passenger jet after it had landed in Dubai from Shanghai.

"Emirates can confirm that a stowaway was found in the cargo hold of flight EK303 from Shanghai to Dubai," said a spokesman for the airline.

"We are co-operating fully with authorities in Dubai and, as this is a police matter, we are unable to comment further at this time."

Chinese media reports identified the stowaway as 16-year-old Xu from Bazhong in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

A Chinese translator for Dubai's prosecution service said the boy had jumped over a fence at Shanghai airport and climbed into the cargo hold while a security guard looked away.

"[He] risked his life sneaking into Dubai because he heard an online rumour that even beggars in the city can earn several hundred thousand yuan a month," the translator said, according to Chinese media reports.

"The cargo compartment of the plane was very comfortable, although he did not eat anything during the nine-hour flight," he said.

The teenager had accepted his arrest by Dubai Police because he heard that Dubai prisoners were "treated very well", the translator added.

According to China's official Xinhua news agency, the Chinese consulate in Dubai has sent staff members to the airport to assist with the case.