File photo. [AP]

A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen returned safely to Greece on Friday after suffering a serious engine failure during the flight, with one passenger lightly injured by debris from the aircraft’s engine.

The pilots detected the problem while the aircraft was over North Macedonia and decided to return to Thessaloniki after the malfunction could not be resolved in the air.

During the descent, part of the damaged engine reportedly detached and struck a cabin window, causing minor injuries to a passenger. Officials said the incident did not involve any breach of the aircraft’s fuselage.

Emergency procedures were activated at Thessaloniki’s Airport “Makedonia” after the crew issued a distress signal. Firefighters, ambulance crews, police and other emergency services were placed on standby, but the aircraft landed safely and was moved to a designated area of the airport.