• Around 60 Indian passengers were stranded at Kuwait airport due to an emergency landing of their Gulf Air flight.
• The passengers alleged discrimination, claiming only passengers from the EU, UK, and US were provided accommodation.
• The Indian Embassy in Kuwait intervened, providing assistance and clarifying visa rules.
• The embassy ensured food, water, and a scheduled flight for the stranded passengers, highlighting the importance of diplomatic intervention.

In a recent incident that has sparked international attention, approximately 60 Indian passengers found themselves stranded at Kuwait airport for an agonizing 13 hours. The passengers were en route from Mumbai to Manchester on a Gulf Air flight when an emergency landing was necessitated due to an engine fire. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait promptly intervened, providing much-needed assistance to the distressed passengers.

The passengers' ordeal began when their flight was forced to make an unexpected U-turn, landing in Kuwait due to an engine fire. The announcement of the flight diversion was made a mere 20 minutes before landing, adding to the passengers' anxiety. A video that surfaced on social media showed the passengers arguing with airport authorities, painting a picture of chaos and confusion.

The passengers' complaints ranged from not receiving food or assistance to allegations of discrimination. They claimed that only passengers holding passports from the European Union, the UK, and the US were provided accommodation by the airline, while those from India, Pakistan, and other Southeast Asian nations were left to fend for themselves.

Allegations of Discrimination and Lack of Basic Amenities

Arzoo Singh, one of the stranded passengers, recounted her harrowing experience to Indian media outlet NDTV. She claimed that airport authorities did not respond to their requests for lounge access and alleged that they were told that Indians and Pakistanis were not 'entitled passport holders'. Singh also shared that they were not given water for the first four hours of their ordeal.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait, in response to the crisis, posted on social media that they had taken up the matter with Gulf Air and clarified the visa rule in Kuwait for Indians. They also dispatched a team to the airport to assist the passengers and coordinate with the airline. The embassy managed to accommodate the passengers in two airport lounges, as the airport hotel was unavailable due to the ongoing GCC Summit.

The embassy also ensured that food and water were made available to the stranded passengers in the lounges. They further informed that Gulf Air had scheduled a flight for the stranded passengers to Manchester at 3.30 a.m. on Monday.

Resolution and Departure

The stranded passengers finally departed from Kuwait at 04:34 am (local time) on Monday, according to the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. The embassy team remained on the ground until the flight departed.

This incident is reminiscent of a similar event in 2018, during the Qatar-Gulf crisis. The crisis had led to a blockade imposed on Qatar, causing significant disruption to air travel and leaving many passengers stranded. The situation was further complicated by political tensions and human rights issues, highlighting the complex interplay of international relations and air travel.