Dubai-Mumbai IndiGo flight diverted to Rajkot after cargo hold smoke alert; passengers evacuated

An IndiGo flight from Dubai to Mumbai carrying 194 passengers and crew was diverted to Gujarat's Rajkot International Airport on Monday after smoke was detected in the aircraft's cargo hold, prompting an emergency landing. All those onboard were evacuated safely, with no injuries reported, officials said.

According to the airport management, "Flight IGO 1452 from Dubai to Mumbai, with 194 persons on board, was diverted to Rajkot after smoke was detected in the cargo hold area" of the aircraft.

An emergency was declared at Rajkot International Airport at 2:45 pm after the alert was received. The aircraft landed safely at 3:27 pm, following which passengers were evacuated and moved to a designated area inside the terminal.


Airport police said the pilot alerted Air Traffic Control after suspecting smoke inside the aircraft and requested permission for an emergency landing.

"The pilot suspected smoke inside the aircraft and, as a precautionary measure, made an emergency landing at the Rajkot airport. The aircraft landed safely," Airport Police Station Inspector KP Taretiya told PTI.

Authorities said technicians from the airline began inspecting the aircraft to determine the source of the smoke. There was no fire onboard, police confirmed.

"The airline's technical team has reached the airport and is inspecting the aircraft. There was no fire in the aircraft," Taretiya said.

(With inputs from PTI)