Flight to Manchester pressured to make an emergency touchdown because of ‘engine failure’: Passengers ‘stranded in Kuwait City’
A flight to Manchester was forced to make an emergency landing in the Middle East after a suspected engine failure.
Passengers onboard Gulf Air Flight GF5, from Bahrain to Manchester, have shared how the pilot made the sudden landing in Kuwait City around an hour after taking off in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Some shared footage which appeared to show emergency crews surrounding the plane after it landed. There were reports of an engine fault and fire on board, but the airline has not commented.
Flight path data shows how the aircraft took off shortly after 2am but landed in Kuwait City one hour later.
The Embassy of India said a flight for ‘stranded’ passengers was rebooked for Monday.
Passengers have also shared footage of them stuck inside the terminal, with many claiming that Indian passengers were stranded for several hours because they were not eligible for a Visa on Arrival and could not be put up in hotels because of the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.
Furious passengers could be seen arguing with airport staff as they claim they were stranded for ’13 hours without food or assistance’.
Passengers onboard Gulf Air Flight GF5, from Bahrain to Manchester, have shared how the pilot made the sudden landing in Kuwait City around an hour after taking off in the early hours of Sunday morning. (stock image: Gulf Air Airbus A321)
Passengers shared footage of what appeared to show several emergency vehicles surrounding the plane when it landed
In one video taken from the aircraft after it landed, several blue light vehicles could be seen on the tarmac.
The passenger filming the video said: ‘Response team is here.’
They added: ‘On Gulf Air flight GF5 from Bahrain to Manchester, after 1 hour of flying, the left turbine engine failed and caught fire.
‘The pilots performed an emergency landing in Kuwait. We’re safe but stranded.’
Flight data shows that the plane left Bahrain and went past Kuwait, heading towards Iraq before having to circle back and land in Kuwait.
The Embassy of India said in a post on X: ‘[The] embassy had immediately taken up the matter with Gulf Air in Kuwait.
A team from Embassy is at the airport to assist the passengers and coordinate with the airline. Passengers have been accommodated in 2 airport lounges.
‘Efforts are being made accommodate passengers in airport hotel which is currently unavailable due to ongoing GCC Summit.
Passengers also complained of having to wait for hours on end in the terminal at Kuwait City
Flight data shows that the plane left Bahrain and went past Kuwait, heading towards Iraq before having to circle back and land in Kuwait
It may be noted that Indian nationals do not fall under Visa on arrival facility in Kuwait. All government offices are closed today due to GCC Summit being hosted by Kuwait.
‘Embassy has been informed by Gulf Air that the flight for stranded passengers from Kuwait to Manchester is tentatively scheduled at 3.30am on 2 Dec.
‘This is being conveyed to all passengers by the Embassy team at the airport. Food and water is available for the stranded passengers at the lounges.’
Gulf Air has been contacted for comment.
