KUWAIT- A Gulf Air (GF) flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Manchester (MAN) via Bahrain (BAH) descended into chaos after an emergency landing due to an engine fire, leaving Indian passengers stranded for 13 hours at Kuwait Airport (KWI) on December 1, 2024.
The passengers reported severe hardships, including a complete lack of basic amenities and alleged discriminatory treatment.
Photo: Anna Zvereva | FlickrGulf Air 787 Engine Fire
The Indian embassy in Kuwait swiftly responded to the incident, immediately engaging with Gulf Air to address the passengers’ concerns. Social media platforms witnessed a viral video depicting heated arguments between passengers and airport authorities, highlighting the escalating tensions.
Passengers leveled serious accusations against the airline, claiming preferential treatment based on nationality. They alleged that only passengers from the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States received accommodation. At the same time, individuals holding Indian, Pakistani, and other Southeast Asian passports were left unsupported.
Arzoo Singh, one of the affected passengers, provided a detailed account of the ordeal to NDTV. She revealed that airport authorities initially refused assistance, explicitly stating that Indian and Pakistani passengers were not “entitled passport holders.”
The passengers were reportedly told that only those eligible for transit visas would receive hotel accommodation.
Singh described a grueling two-hour pursuit to secure basic amenities. The passengers were initially denied even the most fundamental needs, with no water provided during the first four hours of their ordeal.
After persistent requests, they were eventually granted lounge access but continued to face challenges in obtaining essential supplies like blankets and food.
Indian Passengers Stranded at Kuwait Airport for Over 13 Hours After Emergency Landing
Passengers traveling from Mumbai to Manchester via Gulf Air faced a nightmare journey when their flight made an emergency landing at Kuwait International Airport due to an engine fire. Over 60… pic.twitter.com/vQyF1mge7p
— Kumaon Jagran (@KumaonJagran) December 1, 2024
Diplomatic Intervention, Passenger Distress
The Indian embassy in Kuwait has actively responded to a critical situation involving Gulf Air passengers stranded at Kuwait Airport. A dedicated embassy team arrived at the airport to provide immediate assistance and coordinate with the airline, subsequently accommodating passengers in two airport lounges.
The embassy’s official statement revealed significant challenges in resolving the passengers’ situation. The airport hotel remains unavailable due to the ongoing GCC Summit, complicating accommodation efforts. Additionally, Indian nationals do not qualify for Kuwait’s visa-on-arrival facility, and government offices are closed because of the summit.
Passengers reported dramatic details of their unexpected journey. The flight originally departing from Bahrain to Manchester, which originated in Mumbai, underwent an abrupt diversion after nearly two hours of travel. Passengers received only a 20-minute notification before the emergency landing, triggered by an engine fire incident.
Arzoo Singh, a passenger, described the harrowing experience of being stranded for over 13 hours. Approximately 60 passengers have been waiting in the terminal, repeatedly receiving false promises of imminent departure. Multiple passengers expressed urgent concerns about missed work commitments and pending responsibilities in the United Kingdom.
Eyewitness accounts from Singh revealed the emergency’s severity. She witnessed smoke and fire in the aircraft’s engine, prompting the emergency landing. After touchdown, passengers were repeatedly denied basic accommodations, forcing them to sit on the terminal floor for extended periods.
Photo: FlightRadar24Flight Details
According to FlightRadar24 data, Gulf Air operates Mumbai to Manchester flights via a three-hour Bahrain layover with different flight numbers.
Gulf Air Mumbai to Bahrain flight GF65 with A321 departs from BOM at 9:35 PM and arrives in BAH at 11:15 PM local time.
The Bahrain to Manchester flight GF5 with Boeing 787 takes off from BAH at 2:10 AM UTC and arrives in Manchester at 6:35 AM local time.
The incident occurred on the second leg of the flight onboard a 787 registered as A9C-FB. The aircraft is 6.5 years old and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
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