Over 200 Indian Passengers Stranded In Turkey After Mumbai-Bound Virgin Atlantic Flight Makes An Emergency Landing

A Virgin Atlantic flight traveling from London to Mumbai had to make an emergency landing at Diyarbakir Airport (DIY) in Turkey, leaving over 200 Indian passengers stuck for more than 16 hours, as reported by News18 on Thursday.

The aircraft, VS 358, arrived at the airport that was not equipped to manage the plane because of a medical crisis. The report indicated that passengers were informed the aircraft experienced a technical issue during landing.

Why Did The Airplane Make An Emergency Landing?

An emergency landing took place because a passenger had a panic attack, with reports suggesting that the Turkish airport was not equipped to manage the aircraft. Travelers voiced their annoyance about Virgin Atlantic's inadequate communication concerning further travel plans, recounting their experience in a nearly vacant terminal with no updates for almost 14 hours.

Numerous individuals were left with young children, women, and sick individuals. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis provided assurance of support, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation designated a nodal officer to oversee the situation. In another incident the previous month, an Air India flight traveling from Chicago to Delhi turned back because several lavatories were out of order.

The airplane referenced its internal probe, relying on items discovered by maintenance teams who located them within the aircraft’s plumbing system, seemingly placing responsibility on passengers by encouraging “flyers to use restrooms solely for their intended functions.”

Air India also mentioned that although such items were not located on this specific flight, its maintenance crews have previously encountered "blankets, innerwear, and diapers, among other waste" in the aircraft's toilet systems.