'20 people on mattresses in 1 room, no proper food': Air India passenger stranded in Russia

Following an unexpected technical issue with one of its engines, an Air India flight (a Boeing 777) carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members from Delhi to San Francisco was compelled to make an emergency landing in Magadan, Russia. As a result, stranded passengers, including children and elderly individuals, had to contend with language barriers, unfamiliar cuisine, and substandard accommodation during their unplanned stay.

A video posted on Twitter depicts a sizable gathering of passengers confined within a room, as shared by a user. The individual who shared the video stated that the passengers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the limited amenities available in what appears to be a school setting.



“Passengers say they are in a school with bare minimum facilities” the user said while sharing the video.

In a telephone conversation with news broadcaster NDTV, Gagan, a passenger aboard the aircraft, expressed the difficulties faced by the stranded passengers. Gagan described the situation as challenging, characterised by a lack of clear information and insufficient amenities.

“Despite the difficulties Russian authorities have been nice. We have been lucky because we are in a college dorm. We just got Wi-Fi about an hour ago, so we have been able to be in touch with our families," Gagan added.

"But the other place, where some more passengers are present, is a school. They have just moved the benches and people are lying on mattresses in the classroom. There are about 20 people in one room. I heard they couldn't arrange proper food. They were given Coke and bread," he told NDTV.

On Wednesday, Air India made an announcement stating their plans to dispatch a substitute aircraft from Mumbai to facilitate the transportation of the stranded passengers from Magadan to San Francisco. The airline reassured that the passengers were receiving comprehensive assistance on the ground and had arranged accommodation in nearby hostels and hotels, ensuring their needs were being met.

The situation is being monitored by the US State Department, as confirmed by Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, who acknowledged the possibility of having US citizens among the passengers on the flight.

Russia's aviation authority verified that it was inspecting the aircraft's technical condition following its landing at Magadan airport and granted authorization for the arrival of the replacement flight.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson supported the airline's decision to utilise Russian airspace, emphasising the essential function of the aviation industry in facilitating connections between economies, individuals, and cultures.