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Nigerian Man Fell Sick And Dies Aboard Delhi-Doha Flight
An emergency landing at Karachi International Airport in Pakistan was necessary to save the life of a Nigerian passenger who passed away on an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Doha due to a medical issue.
The airline said in a statement on March 13, 2023, that Abdullah, a 60-year-old Nigerian passenger, had fallen ill and compelled the crew of flight 6E-1736 to make an immediate decision to land in the city in southern Pakistan.
The pilot of the aircraft made contact with Karachi Air Traffic Control (ATC), briefed them on the situation, and asked for permission to land.
However, upon landing in Karachi, the airport medical team declared the man dead.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson in Pakistan confirmed the incident and said the passenger’s health had worsened mid-flight.
Meanwhile, IndiGo released a statement and offered condolences to the family of the deceased.
“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,” read the statement released.
“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,” it added.
After confirmation of Abdullah’s death, the body was flown back to Delhi. A death certificate has also been issued. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to launch an investigation and assess if any foul play was involved.
The passenger’s health history will be looked after before arriving at any final decision.