Originally Posted by
double_barrel
Or the passengers decided to evacuate on their own initiative rather than waiting for anyone to announce anything?
At least one press report says the evacuation was commanded by the cabin crew:
One passenger described hearing a bang as his flight attempted to take off. Thomas Steer, a 24-year-old estate agent, said the plane had been accelerating for about 15 seconds before there was a “bang on the side of the aircraft, which skidded to a stop”.He said: “It was scary. And then staff shouting: ‘Evacuate, evacuate.’ My friend opened the emergency exit and we slid down the slides. A few old people fell over and the fire brigade treated them.”
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...borted-takeoff
If events transpired as described, then the cabin crew ordered evacuation and the passengers then used the self-help window exits (and others) to leave the aircraft. That still leaves open questions the cockpit to cabin crew communication.