Footage shared online showed passengers venting their frustrations at airport staff, with some claiming they were left without food or proper assistance for over 13 hours.
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In a video taken from the grounded plane, one passenger said, “Response team is here.” They added, “The left turbine engine failed and caught fire. The pilots performed an emergency landing in Kuwait. We’re safe but stranded.”
Embassy Intervenes
The Embassy of India quickly stepped in to assist stranded passengers, coordinating with Gulf Air and deploying a team to the airport. Passengers were accommodated in two airport lounges, with food and water provided. However, efforts to secure hotel rooms were unsuccessful due to the GCC Summit.
The embassy stated on social media:
“[The] embassy had immediately taken up the matter with Gulf Air in Kuwait. Passengers have been accommodated in 2 airport lounges. Efforts are being made to accommodate passengers in the airport hotel, which is currently unavailable due to the ongoing GCC Summit.”
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The embassy added that Gulf Air had scheduled a replacement flight for 3:30 a.m. on December 2, promising that passengers would be kept informed.
Ongoing Investigation
While Gulf Air has yet to issue an official statement, the incident raises questions about the safety protocols and passenger support systems during emergencies.
Next Steps
The replacement flight is expected to resolve the situation for stranded passengers. However, the experience has left many frustrated, highlighting the challenges of managing emergencies during high-profile events like the GCC Summit. Gulf Air’s response will likely face scrutiny as investigations continue.
