London to Mumbai Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Turkey; All 260 Passengers Reach Mumbai Safely After 3 Days After Mohol’s Intervention

A London to Mumbai Virgin Atlantic flight (VS358), carrying 260 passengers, had an unexpected turn of events mid-air when a medical emergency forced an unscheduled landing at Diyarbakir Airport in Turkey — a small military airbase with limited facilities.

Emergency Landing Turns Challenging

The flight, en route from London to Mumbai, was diverted after a passenger required urgent medical attention. The plane landed safely at Diyarbakir Airport, but due to the airport’s smaller size and military nature, the landing was rough, causing damage to the aircraft’s landing gear.

Diyarbakir Airport lacked many standard facilities available at commercial airports, and communication limitations made the situation even more difficult for the stranded Indian passengers. The airport mostly caters to small domestic and military aircraft, adding to the challenges faced by the crew and passengers.

Quick Response by Indian Authorities

Upon learning about the situation, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP, Murlidhar Mohol, sprang into action. After being contacted by relatives of some stranded passengers, Mohol coordinated efforts between Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Indian aviation authorities, and Turkey’s local officials.

A special team from India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation was assigned to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers. Additional support came from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Turkey.

Efforts were made to provide accommodation, food, and medical support to the stranded passengers. Pregnant women and children received special care, and medical aid was arranged as needed.

Technical Troubles Delay Rescue

Virgin Atlantic initially attempted to repair the aircraft’s landing gear at Diyarbakir, but the efforts were unsuccessful. The airline then dispatched another aircraft from London, but it was denied landing permission by Turkish military authorities.

Finally, after continuous follow-ups by Indian officials, the Turkish government issued three-day transit visas for the passengers, allowing them to stay in hotels nearby until arrangements could be made.

Safe Return to Mumbai

After three days of coordination and relentless efforts, Virgin Atlantic arranged a special rescue flight from Diyarbakir to Mumbai. The passengers, who had been stranded in unfamiliar surroundings, finally landed safely at Mumbai airport on Friday at 8:30 PM.

This successful evacuation was made possible thanks to swift coordination between Indian authorities, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, and Turkish officials — with the efforts led by Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol playing a key role in ensuring the passengers’ safety and timely return.