A FlyDubai flight bound for Colombo made an emergency landing at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi in the early hours of Thursday after a passenger’s health deteriorated mid-air.
According to aviation sources, the flight, which was en route from Dubai to Colombo, encountered an emergency when a female passenger, identified as 57-year-old Paloni, experienced severe chest pain indicative of a heart attack. The incident occurred approximately halfway through the journey, prompting the flight crew to take immediate action.
The pilot promptly contacted the air traffic control (ATC) at Karachi airport, urgently requesting permission for an emergency landing to seek medical assistance for the ailing passenger. The ATC quickly granted clearance, enabling the pilot to divert the aircraft to Karachi.
Upon landing, a medical team, already on standby, swiftly boarded the aircraft to attend to the passenger. However, despite their rapid response, they found Paloni unresponsive and declared her deceased due to a heart attack. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sources confirmed the fatality, stating that all efforts to revive the passenger had been in vain.
The airport’s health officer was called to the scene to officially issue a death certificate for Paloni. The unfortunate incident caused a delay, but the necessary formalities were completed efficiently to allow the flight to continue its journey.
After a brief halt, the FlyDubai flight was cleared for departure, resuming its course to Colombo with the body of the deceased passenger on board. The airline expressed its condolences to the family and ensured that all possible support was extended to them during this tragic time.
