IndiGo Delhi-Doha Flight Diverted To Karachi Airport After Passenger Dies Mid-Air

As per initial reports, a Nigerian Passenger named Abdullah, 60, died on the Doha-bound IndiGo flight, forcing the pilot to land at the Karachi's Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan.

Image for representation

A Doha-bound IndiGo flight made an emergency landing at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan on March 13 morning. The IndiGo pilot decided to divert the plane at the Karachi Airport after a man fell ill on the flight to Doha. However, the Nigerian Passenger named Abdullah, 60, died before the plane landed in Karachi. Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority officials in Karachi said the passenger fell ill onboard and the captain requested an emergency landing at the Jinnah International Airport. The ATC granted permission to the IndiGo pilot and an ambulance was on standby at the airport.

The officials said the aircraft, A320-271N, which was parked at the Karachi airport for nearly five hours, returned to Delhi after the authorities in Karachi issued the death certificate of the passenger and all formalities were completed. The IndiGo flight 6E 1736 took off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi at 22.05 PM on March 12, 2023 and was scheduled to land at the Hamad International Airport in Doha at 11.43 PM.

However, the flight landed at the Karachi International Airport on March 13, 2023 at 00.08 AM after the health of a passenger deteriorated mid-air. IndiGo, India's largest domestic airline was operating an Airbus A320 plane on the international route.

In a statement, IndiGo said, "IndiGo flight 6E-1736, operating from Delhi to Doha was diverted to Karachi due to a medical emergency on board. Unfortunately, on arrival, the passenger was declared dead by the airport medical team. We are deeply saddened by the news and our prayers and wishes are with his family and loved ones. We're currently making arrangements for transferring the other passengers of the flight, in coordination with the relevant authorities."

A Delhi Police officer said the body of the passenger has been handed over to his family members. The total number of people onboard the aircraft could not be immediately ascertained.