Malaysian Airlines plane forced to return to Melbourne Airport after passenger 'tries to enter cockpit'

A Malaysian Airlines plane has been forced to make an emergency U-turn back to Australia after a passenger tried to enter the cockpit.

The flight, headed for Kuala Lumpur, returned to Melbourne due to a "disruptive passenger", the airline said.

Pictures have emerged on social media of armed officers having boarded the plane, as well as passengers on the tarmac in Australia.

In a statement, the airline said the captain turned the plane around after being made aware of a "passenger attempting to enter the cockpit".

Flight MH128 touched down back in Australia shortly before midnight local time (3pm UK time) less than an hour after taking off.

The plane has now returned safely to the ground. No-one is believed to have been injured.

The Malaysia Airlines statement said: "​Flight MH128 of 31 May from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur was forced to turn back to Melbourne due to a disruptive passenger.

"MH128 departed Melbourne Airport at 11.11pm and was to arrive Kuala Lumpur at 5.28am on 1 June made a turn back to Melbourne after the operating captain was alerted by a cabin crew of a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit.

"Safety and security are of Malaysia Airlines' utmost priority.

"MH128 safely landed in Melbourne Airport at 11.41pm.

"The aircraft is currently on the remote bay and waiting for security assistance to arrive at the aircraft."

Planes into Melbourne Airport on Wednesday evening were reportedly being diverted to different airports while police carried out an operation.