A Gulf Air flight bound for Manchester was forced to make an emergency landing in Kuwait City early Sunday morning following a suspected engine failure. The incident left passengers stranded, sparking frustration and reports of inadequate assistance.
Emergency Landing and Engine Trouble
Gulf Air Flight GF5, which departed from Bahrain, made a sudden descent into Kuwait City approximately one hour into its journey. Passengers reported seeing emergency vehicles surrounding the plane on the tarmac. Some claimed the left engine failed mid-flight and caught fire, though the airline has not confirmed these details.
Flight data revealed that the aircraft, an Airbus A321, took off shortly after 2 a.m. local time and began heading towards Iraq before circling back and landing in Kuwait.
Passengers Stranded for Hours
Following the emergency landing, many passengers found themselves stuck in the terminal for hours. Indian nationals, in particular, faced difficulties as they were ineligible for Kuwait’s Visa on Arrival program. Compounding the issue, local hotels were unavailable due to the ongoing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.
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.
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.”
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.
