The hamsters were, together with some ferrets and birds, on their way from Portugal's capital Lisbon to a pet store in Ponta Delgada on the Azores when they broke loose.
It took airport personnel five whole days to find all the rodents. Until all were caught, the plane was forced to stand still, out of fear that the animals could gnaw through important electrical cables.
The plane will now be thoroughly examined to ensure that the hamsters' sharp teeth did not cause any worse damage, according to the airline TAP.
This is not the first time animals on the loose have caused trouble in air traffic. Last year, a plane from New York to Belgium was forced to turn back after a horse broke loose. The same year, a bear escaped from its cage on a flight from Dubai to Baghdad.
In 2023, passengers on their way from Bangkok to Taipei were also shocked when a huge albino rat escaped from its luggage together with an otter.
