A flight from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram, India, on Sunday evening following a medical emergency involving one of the passengers. Saudia Airlines’ Flight SV 821, carrying 395 passengers and 18 crew members, was en route when it made an emergency landing after a 37-year-old passenger, identified as Lia Fatonah, reportedly lost consciousness.
The plane touched down at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport at 7:00 pm, where emergency medical services were immediately dispatched. Fatonah was taken to a local hospital for treatment. After the passenger was safely evacuated, the flight resumed its journey towards Madinah, departing at approximately 8:30 pm.
This incident follows a similar emergency landing involving an Air China flight earlier in the week. The Air China flight, bound for South Korea, was diverted to Shanghai Pudong International Airport after a lithium battery in a passenger’s hand luggage caught fire. The flames spread to the overhead compartment, filling the cabin with smoke and causing panic. The flight crew managed to contain the fire, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. The diversion occurred just months after China imposed a ban on certain lithium batteries aboard flights, highlighting ongoing safety concerns regarding this type of cargo.
Both incidents reflect the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation industry in managing in-flight emergencies. While such occurrences remain rare, they emphasise the importance of effective emergency response protocols and crew training to safeguard the well-being of passengers and crew members alike.
