Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 4: Over 250 passengers, a significant number of them Indian, remain stranded at Diyarbakir Airport, a small military facility in south-eastern Turkey, after their Virgin Atlantic flight from London’s Heathrow to Mumbai was diverted due to a medical emergency.
The flight, which was scheduled to land in Mumbai at 1.40 am on Thursday, encountered a technical snag following the unscheduled landing, leaving passengers without clarity about when they will reach their intended destination.
According to passengers, the situation has grown increasingly distressing due to the lack of basic amenities. Reports indicate inadequate access to food, water, and restroom facilities, with only one toilet available for approximately 275 passengers.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson stated, “Our engineers are continuing their thorough assessments of the aircraft, and we are actively exploring all options including the operation of an alternative aircraft to ensure customers can reach Mumbai as soon as possible.”
However, passengers have expressed frustration over the lack of communication and support from the airline. One passenger took to social media platform X, appealing for urgent intervention: “More than 200 Indian passengers, including a pregnant woman, are stranded without water and basic facilities. Please intervene urgently.”
Preeti Sharma Menon, Mumbai Chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), highlighted the ordeal faced by her sister and niece, who are among the stranded passengers. “It’s been 24 hours and not a single airline representative has met the passengers. They have barely any food, one toilet amongst 275 pax, phones running out of batteries as they don’t have Turkish adapters. There are babies, pregnant women, diabetics and old people in this ordeal,” Sharma Menon reported on Thursday.
She further added, “Diyarbakir is a small military airport with no shops, no amenities, not even adequate toilets. It has three staff members and none of them speaks English. Virgin Atlantic has not thought it necessary to provide basic hygiene or hospitality for over 24 hours.”
The incident has sparked outrage and concern among families of the stranded passengers. Many are calling for immediate intervention to provide relief and ensure the safety and comfort of those stuck at the remote airport.