Stranded in Turkey: Over 200 passengers flying from London to Mumbai stuck at a military airbase after Virgin Atlantic flight diversion | X – @loveenatandon
Mumbai: Over 200 passengers travelling from London to Mumbai have been stranded for over 22 hours at Turkey’s Diyarbakir airport, a remote military airbase. Virgin Atlantic flight was diverted after a medical emergency was reported on board.
Virgin Atlantic’s flight VS358, which departed from London’s Heathrow Airport at 11.40am on Wednesday for Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Internation Airport, was diverted mid-air after a medical emergency was reported.
According to sources, an on-board passenger suffered a panic attack after which the flight was diverted to Turkey’s Diyarbakir Airport. The passengers waited on-board for five hours after which they were asked to alight.
Diyarbakir airport is located in a remote city of Turkey, which is primarily a military airbase. The passengers travelling on the flight reported that the aircraft also faced a technical issue while landing at the Turkish airport as it is unequipped for handling wide-body jets. The airline informed the passengers that they are arranging for an alternate aircraft. Following this incident, the same flight departing from London on Thursday was cancelled.
Passengers took to social media to share their ordeal, sharing that they have not been provided any accommodation and are not allowed to leave the airport since it is a military airbase.
Satish Kapsikar, a passenger stranded in the incident, posted on X saying, “Stranded at Diyarbakir Airport along with 270 other Indian passengers at a small airport due to Virgin Atlantic flight London to Mumbai VS358 divergence for medical emergency, babies, children, old age suffering, no support from Virgin Atlantic, need help.”
Sherilyn Fernandes, whose relative was stranded at the airport, posted on micro-blogging platform X saying that, “More than 200 Indian passengers, including a pregnant woman, are stranded without water and basic facilities. The airport staff is furious about the landing, even though its not the passengers’ fault. They are demanding their passports.”
Following the incident, the Indian embassy in Turkey has flung into action and has committed to take care of the stranded passengers. “Embassy of India, Ankara is in continuous contact with Diyarbakir Airport Directorate and related authorities. All of possible coordination and efforts are being made to take care of the stranded passengers,” said the embassy on X.
The Free Press Journal contacted Virgin Atlantic but did not receive any response from the airline.
