MORE than 200 passengers were stranded in a remote Turkish airport yesterday after a Virgin jet made an emergency landing.
Many recorded pleas for help, saying they had been given only rice and felt abandoned for 16 hours.
More than 200 passengers were stranded in a remote Turkish airport yesterday after a Virgin jet made an emergency landing[/caption]
Babies, diabetic patients and pensioners were among those affected after a panicking passenger prompted the diversion.
Videos shared with The Sun included a four-months pregnant woman saying: “Everyone is suffering. Please help.”
Fed-up mothers said everyone had been told to leave their carry-on bags on the plane.
An elderly man begged: “We’re so tired. Can anyone do something?”
Their flight had left Heathrow for Mumbai at 11.40am.
But a source said: “A woman was panicking and started shouting and screaming at 30,000ft.
“The situation had become so scary that the decision was taken to land so she could receive medical help.”
The Airbus A350 diverted to Turkey, landing in Diyarbakır about 4pm.
It is primarily a military hub with some civilian flights but is not built for wide-bodied passenger planes.
The jet had a technical problem and was unable to leave for India.
Last night, diplomats were arranging for 24-hour visas so passengers could at least stay in hotels nearby.
They could be put on a flight to Saudi Arabia today for a connecting flight.
Virgin said: “We sincerely apologise.”
Last night, diplomats were arranging for 24-hour visas so passengers could at least stay in hotels nearby[/caption]
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