Indian passengers flying from Mumbai to Manchester faced a harrowing ordeal when their flight made an emergency landing at Kuwait airport due to an engine fire. For over 13 hours, these passengers have been left without essential provisions like food and proper assistance. A chaotic scene unfolded on social media as Gulf Air passengers argued with airport authorities. Allegations of bias and harassment against Indian, Pakistani, and other Southeast Asian passport holders have surfaced.

Passenger Testimony and Demands

Arzoo Singh, a passenger, recounted her experience to NDTV. She stated that they initially asked for lounge access at the very least, but the airport authorities failed to respond. "I am saying this on live television. They said 'if you’re entitled passport holders, and Indians and Pakistanis are not entitled passport holders', they literally told us if you’re entitled for a transit visa, only then we can put you in a hotel outside," Ms Singh said. She further added, "We asked them what about us, people who are not 'entitled' as you say? They said we will get back to you. We ran behind them for nearly two hours, only after that we got lounge access. We asked for blankets, we asked for food. They didn’t give. No one even gave us water for the first four hours."The passengers also mentioned that their flight took a U-turn before landing in Kuwait and that the announcement of the flight diversion came 20 minutes before landing. Gulf Air has not yet issued a statement regarding this matter.Ms Singh continued, "It has been more than 13 hours. There are some 60 passengers… They have been telling us since morning, every three hours, that we would be going home." She expressed her concern, saying, "All of us have work tomorrow, people waiting in the UK. We have been trying to reach the embassy."According to the passenger, the flight was on its way from Bahrain to Manchester after departing from Mumbai. It was flying for nearly two hours when the emergency landing was announced. "I saw the engine was on fire. There was smoke. After landing, we asked them so many times to at least give us a place to sit. Everyone was sitting on the floor," Ms Singh said.These passengers' plight highlights the need for better coordination and support during such critical situations. It also raises questions about the treatment of passengers based on their nationality. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the well-being and comfort of travelers in such challenging circumstances.