Virgin Atlantic passengers stranded at military base after woman became unwell

Virgin Atlantic passengers were left at a remote airfield without food for ‘more than 24 hours’ after a woman became unwell.

An emergency landing was made Wednesday afternoon on Virgin Flight VS358, which had left London Heathrow for Mumbai hours earlier.

One passenger told The Sun: ‘It was scary onboard. The situation became so scary for other passengers that the decision was taken by the captain to divert the aircraft, so the woman could receive medical help.

‘It was not deemed safe to try continuing to India.’

However, the military airport in Diyarbakir, Turkey, where the plane landed, isn’t suitable for commercial aircraft take-offs and landing, meaning that Airbus suffered a ‘technical issue’ during the landing.

Passengers were told to disembark the plane, leaving behind their carry-on luggage with necessary provisions, reports said.

Reports of diabetic patients, a pregnant woman and young children left ‘abandoned’ at the military hangar gained attention when passengers filmed their plight.

They were unable to leave the air base due to a ‘visa issue’, leaving the more than 200 passengers without options.

In a video, one woman said: ‘I have had no food. I am four months pregnant. They have supplied only rice. Everybody is suffering. Please help us.’

Arrangements for emergency 24-hour visas are reportedly being made, and passengers have now been given hotel accommodations.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson previously said: ‘The VS358 flight from London Heathrow to Mumbai on 2nd April was cancelled due to an urgent medical diversion to Diyarbakır Airport in Turkey, followed by ongoing technical inspections of the aircraft.

‘The safety and security of our customers and crew remains our highest priority, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.

‘Our engineers are continuing their thorough assessments of the aircraft, and we are actively exploring all options including if required an alternative aircraft into a nearby airport tomorrow to ensure customers reach Mumbai tomorrow.’

Metro has contacted Virgin Atlantic for further updates.

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