A RAGING passenger was recorded in a shocking clip slapping a “thief” who he caught stealing from the overhead cabin during a flight. 

The video, which has been circulating around social media over the weekend, captured an allegedly Chinese man standing up during the flight and reaching into the overhead compartment. 

The bust-up reportedly took place during a Mahan flight from Tehran to Dubai when the thief was busted whilst rummaging through the bag without realising its Iranian owner was filming over his shoulder. 

The robber then closes the overhead compartment and sits back in his seat – but the Iranian man fumes over to publicly shame him with three slaps. 

The alleged Chinese man is seen in the video scrabbling about in the brown bag without a clue the owner was standing right behind his seat. 

The clip shows the Iranian man grabbing his bag while pointing fingers at the “thief” as other holiday-makers watch in shock. 

He then pushes the emergency button above the seat to ensure cabin crew were aware of the incident before slapping him across the face three times. 

The perpetrator hides behind his arms in horror while other flight passengers are seen turning in their seats- trying to catch a glimpse of the chaos. 

Another passenger snatches the bag back as the thief is seen being pulled out from his seat while speaking to the furious Iranian. 

The Iranian man continues to rage as he is seen reaching into the perpetrator’s hoodie pockets to retrieve any other stolen belongings. 

Towards the end of the footage, the pair are seen trading furious blows for a little while longer until the “thief” is taken to the front of the plane. 

The video has spread across social media leaving other flyers sharing major concerns with thieves on flights. 

One user on X wrote under the video: ‘Previously, Taiwan’s Taoyuan Airport and Singapore Airport have caught Chinese air theft gangs. 

“Now, flights to Europe and those transiting through Dubai have successively caught Chinese individuals stealing others’ belongings. 

“To all friends planning to travel abroad, never put valuable items in the overhead compartment, beware of Chinese thieves – they’re right beside you!”.

The ordeal comes after a Chinese national was charged in court on August 10 after he allegedly stole from a passenger. 

During a flight from Dubai to Singapore a 25-year-old man was caught in the business section as he reportedly took a bag from the overhead cabin while the owner was asleep. 

The victim’s wife lashed out and ordered him to return the bag back immediately and broke the news to her husband. 

It is unclear which airline the incident took place but reports suspect it was an Emirates airline. 

“After the aircraft landed at Changi Airport, the man was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions to officers from the Airport Police Division. 

“He was subsequently arrested before he could depart for his next scheduled flight,” said the police.