Mumbai-Mauritius flight passengers stuck in plane for five hours without AC, infants & elderly gasp for breath

In another aviation mishap, several infants as well as a 78-year-old man on board the Air Mauritius flight MK749, which flew from Mumbai to Mauritius, suffered respiratory issues after the air conditioning systems malfunctioned.

The passengers boarded the flight at 3:45 am local time on Saturday (Feb 24), after which it developed an engine issue. Theyhad to stay inside the plane for more than five hours and were not allowed to evacuate.

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Flight gets cancelled

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The flight was later cancelled and the officials then made other arrangements.

Speaking to news agency ANI, a passenger onboard the flight said, “The flight was to depart at 4:30 am today. Passengers boarded at 3.45 am onwards but the aircraft developed an engine problem. The passengers remained inside the plane for over 5 hours and were not allowed to disembark. The flight has now been cancelled and other necessary arrangements are being made."

According toreports, 78-year-old passenger Banudutt Boolauky developed breathing difficulties while inside the plane.

Mishaps in aeroplanes have become common these days. Just two weeks before, aCanadian man was arrested in Chiang Mai, Thailand after he opened the door of a Thai Airways flight which was gearing up for take-off from Chiang Mai airport that was bound for Bangkok, said the local broadcaster ThaiPBS and officials.

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Facebook user Ananya Tiangtae, who was on the plane, wrote, "The whole plane was in chaos" and added that the passenger was escorted off the plane by the officials.

"What if we were 30,000 feet above sea level? What would happen?" wrote Ananya.

Speaking about the incident on Thursday (Feb 8), Chiang Mai Airport director Ronnakorn Chalermsaenyakorn said that a passenger opened the emergency door which led to the activation of the inflatable slide because of which the aircraft was unable to take off.

Ronnakorn said that the plane was sent back to the terminal and the passengers disembarked from the flight after safety inspections were carried out by the technicians.

(With inputs from agencies)