MUMBAI: An IndiGo flight traveling from Mumbai to Varanasi made an emergency landing at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Chikalthana Airport on Sunday night following the sudden death of an elderly female passenger mid-flight. The passenger, identified as 89-year-old Sushila Devi from Mirzapur, reportedly began experiencing health complications shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, designated as flight 6E-5028, had just departed from Mumbai when the crew declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to the nearest available airport.
According to reports, the flight crew acted swiftly as the woman’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Emergency protocols were initiated onboard, and the flight was granted immediate clearance to land at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar around 10:00 PM local time. Upon landing, airport medical personnel boarded the aircraft in an attempt to stabilize the passenger. Unfortunately, despite their immediate efforts, she was pronounced dead on board, prompting the activation of post-mortem and police procedures.
IndiGo Airlines issued a formal statement confirming the incident and expressing their condolences to the grieving family. The airline stated that all emergency procedures were followed and emphasized their ongoing commitment to passenger safety and well-being. They also noted that the passenger’s family had been contacted and were being provided with full support. The aircraft resumed its journey to Varanasi after the required legal and medical documentation was completed.
Airport authorities also released information confirming that all other passengers onboard were safe and that the situation was handled efficiently by both airline and airport staff. The deceased’s body was transferred to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for a post-mortem examination. The incident has sparked discussions around inflight medical preparedness and raised awareness regarding the importance of immediate response protocols in such critical situations.
