At least eleven passengers and crew fell ill during a nine-hour Air India flight from London amid fears of food poisoning.
In the latest blunder for the airline, passengers said they felt dizzy and nauseous on the hellish flight to Mumbai on Monday.
This incident comes amid a recent string of chilling Air India issues, marked by a series of flight cancellations and disruptions since the deadly crash in Ahmedadbad on June 12.
Air India confirmed the chaotic incident and said just five passengers and two crew members were ill.
Five holidaymakers and two cabin crew members reported feeling nauseous and dizzy as flight AI-130.
Earlier eyewitness reports suggested the number was higher, with as many as 11 people, including six crew, feeling unwell during the journey.
The incident comes just days after a deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which is still under investigation.
Air India later confirmed: “On board flight AI-130 from London Heathrow to Mumbai, five passengers and two crew reported feeling dizzy and nauseous during different phases of the flight.
Air India said in a statement to Hindustan Times: “On board flight AI-130 from London Heathrow to Mumbai, five passengers and two crew reported feeling dizzy and nauseous during different phases of the flight.
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“Our medical experts were prepared to offer prompt medical aid after the airplane safely touched down in Mumbai.
“Two passengers and two cabin staff members who were still feeling ill after landing were brought to the hospital room for additional testing before being released.
‘We have informed the regulator and are looking into the incident.”
The Boeing 777 landed safely in Mumbai, where medical teams had been put on standby.
Initial theories about a cabin pressurisation issue, which can lead to hypoxia, were dismissed as oxygen masks were not deployed during the flight.
An expert familiar with the situation noted food poisoning is now considered a more plausible cause for the symptoms of nausea and dizziness experienced by those affected.
Both pilots did not fall unwell however – likely because standard aviation safety practices include serving the commander and first officer food that has been prepared in separate kitchens to the rest of the flight as a way to mitigate such risks.
The incident comes in the wake of other serious events that have rocked the international airline.
Air India is continuing to probe what caused the tragic crash of Gatwick-bound Flight 171, which killed 229 passengers and 12 crew members, with only one passenger surviving.
Brit Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was sitting in seat 11A, said it was a ‘miracle’ he survived the disaster that killed 279 people.
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