- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi, May 23: An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar was hit by severe turbulence due to hailstorm on May 21. During this time, the pilot had sought permission from Pakistan to use its airspace. However, Pakistan refused.
News agency PTI quoted sources on May 22 as saying that when the IndiGo flight was passing over Amritsar, the pilot felt slight turbulence. He contacted Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) and sought permission to enter Pakistan’s airspace to avoid bad weather.
Lahore ATC clearly refused the pilot, due to which the flight had to proceed on its fixed route. Later, the flight came under the grip of severe turbulence. The flight started shaking violently. There were 227 people on board the flight. Everyone started screaming due to the strong jolts.
The pilot informed Srinagar ATC and made an emergency landing of the flight. After landing, it was seen that the front part of the flight (nose cone) was broken. Many videos from inside the flight have surfaced on social media, in which people are seen praying for their lives. Sounds of children crying are also heard.
DGCA told what exactly happened in the air
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a statement saying that on May 21, IndiGo’s A321 flight was going from Delhi to Srinagar. The weather suddenly deteriorated near Pathankot in Punjab. Hail started falling. According to the pilot, he asked the Indian Air Force for permission to turn left, i.e. towards the international border. Which was refused.
After this, the pilot contacted Lahore ATC and asked for permission to enter their airspace but Lahore ATC did not give permission. After this, the pilot tried to take the flight back but by then the plane reached a heavy storm and rain. After this, the pilot decided to take the flight amidst the weather. During this, the speed of the flight was increased. Finally, it landed safely at Srinagar Airport. However, this has damaged the nose of the plane. The entire matter is being investigated by DGCA.
India-Pakistan airspace closed after Pahalgam attack
Let us tell you that tension continues between India and Pakistan after the death of 26 people in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22 April. On 24 April, Pakistan closed its airspace for Indian airlines. India has also closed its airspace for Pakistani airlines.
Under the rules of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), no country can close its airspace for another country for more than a month. In such a situation, Pakistan can keep its airspace closed for Indian airlines only till May 23.
TMC MP who was on the flight said- saw death closely
A delegation of 5 Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders was also travelling among the passengers. TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh, who was among them, said, ‘I felt that death was near. Life was over. People were screaming, praying. Salute to the pilot who saved all our lives.’
According to news agency PTI, a passenger on the flight said that about 20-30 minutes before landing in Srinagar, there was an announcement to fasten seat belts. At that time there were mild tremors. Within two to three minutes of the announcement, the flight started shaking so fast that everyone thought that this would be our last flight.
In the viral video on social media, it was seen that due to the strong jolts, the luggage kept in the cabin of the flight started falling. Amidst the screams of the passengers, the crew announced to fasten the seat belts. After some time, the flight made an emergency landing, then the passengers heaved a sigh of relief. After getting off the flight, people saw that the nose cone was broken. The pilot is being praised for making a safe landing even in such a situation.
IndiGo said- all passengers are safe
After the incident, IndiGo issued a press release stating, ‘Flight 6E 2142 had to face sudden hailstorm on the way. The flight and cabin crew followed the protocol and the flight was landed safely in Srinagar.’
‘All passengers are safe. There is no news of anyone being injured. The flight is currently undergoing inspection and maintenance work in Srinagar. Operations will resume after getting approval.’ Sources said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the matter.
