Furious Virgin Atlantic passengers stranded at military base after flyer’s ‘panic attack’ sparks emergency landing
A WOMAN suffered a panic attack at 30,000ft – forcing an emergency Virgin Atlantic landing at a remote airfield and leaving hundreds of holidaymakers stranded “with no food” for 24 hours.
Babies, diabetic patients, and a pregnant woman were among the vulnerable flyers “abandoned” at a military hub.
They dramatically filmed videos of their plight – begging the outside world for help.
The plane left Heathrow at 11.40am on Wednesday and diverted to Turkey around 4.30pm.
It had been due to land in India at 1.40am on Thursday local time.
The Airbus A350 then suffered a ‘technical issue’ during the unscheduled touchdown – and so was unable to take-off again for India after the woman passenger had been escorted off the plane.
The passengers were asked to disembark the jumbo and gathered in a hangar – then not allowed back on the plane to fetch their carry-on bags and essential supplies.
A ‘visa issue’ meant the weary travellers were not even allowed to leave the military hub for local hotels.
Dramatic videos were then recorded by more than 200 desperate “abandoned” passengers – and shared with The Sun.
One angry man said: “Sixteen hours no help!”
A woman poignantly held her tummy as she hit out: “I have had no food. I am four months pregnant. They have supplied only rice. Everybody is suffering. Please help us.”
Another woman chipped in saying: “There are babies on board. We are all wanting help from the UK government and Indian government and US government – anybody! All these children are stranded. Everybody.
“We have four babies who have not got their stuff because it’s all in the aircraft.”
An elderly man said: “Since 5 o’ clock we have had no food here, so what’s going on? We are tired, we are fed-up. Can you do something please!”
The Sun understands yesterday’s flight – Virgin Atlantic Flight VS358 – was diverted after a woman had a panic attack mid-flight triggered by “worry about her dog”.
A source said: “It was scary on-board. The poor woman was shouting and screaming and not in a good way, and families around her were very distressed by what was happening.
“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.
“The military airport in Turkey is not suitable for commercial aircraft take-offs and landings and it’s no surprise it suffered a technical issue during the emergency landing.
“Passengers have been stranded are getting frantic. They say there has been no help from Virgin customer services staff. They don’t know what’s happening and feel cut off from the world.
“Passengers became so desperate they sent out pleas for help in what resembled a hostage video. It’s like something from a Hollywood action movie.”
Last night diplomats were arranging 24 hour visas for passengers. The military airport was closed to any other flights for the next three days.
Passengers were being given hotel accommodation ahead of a possible flight tomorrow to Saudi.
It was not known when they’d eventually reach India.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson told The Sun: “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.