Over 200 Stuck Since 14 Hrs at Turkey Airport as Mumbai-Bound Flight Makes Emergency Landing
In a distressing incident, over 200 passengers, including Indians, have been stranded at an airport in Turkey for more than 14 hours after a London-Mumbai Virgin Atlantic flight made an emergency landing. The flight, which was initially expected to land at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, was forced to make an unexpected stop at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport due to technical issues.
According to reports, the Virgin Atlantic flight, which departed from London’s Heathrow Airport, encountered a technical problem en route to Mumbai and was diverted to Istanbul. The passengers, who were a mix of Indian and international travelers, were left stranded at the airport with no immediate solution in sight.
As the hours ticked by, the stranded passengers began to get anxious and frustrated. “One passenger had a panic attack,” a passenger told CNN-News18, while another said, “We’ve not received accommodations and we can’t even leave the airport as this is a military base.” The passengers, who were initially provided with some food and water, were left to fend for themselves as the airport authorities failed to provide any concrete solutions.
The incident has left many passengers, including Indians, in a state of distress. “We are still stuck here and don’t know when we will be allowed to leave,” said another passenger. “We were told that the airport authorities will provide us with accommodations, but so far, we have not received any information.”
The incident has also highlighted the lack of preparedness on the part of the airport authorities to handle emergency situations. While emergency landing procedures are in place, it is unclear why the airport authorities failed to provide adequate assistance to the stranded passengers.
Virgin Atlantic, the airline responsible for the flight, has issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience caused to its passengers. “We apologize for the delay and are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” the airline said in a statement.
The Turkish authorities have also issued a statement assuring that they are doing everything possible to assist the stranded passengers. “We are doing everything possible to assist the passengers and ensure their safety and comfort,” a Turkish government official said in a statement.
As the incident continues to unfold, many passengers are left wondering what could have caused the flight to make an emergency landing and why the airport authorities failed to provide adequate assistance. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and quick response in emergency situations.
The news has sent shockwaves across social media, with many people expressing concern and outrage on Twitter. “This is unacceptable! @VirginAtlantic needs to get its act together and ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers,” tweeted one user.
“Stranded passengers at Istanbul airport for over 14 hours? @TurkishAirlines needs to step up and provide assistance,” tweeted another user.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen when the stranded passengers will be able to leave the airport and continue their journey to Mumbai. In the meantime, the airport authorities and the airline are working to resolve the issue and ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers.
