An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar carrying over 220 people, including Trinamool Congress MPs, was caught in a sudden hailstorm on Wednesday, leading to moments of sheer panic onboard.
The pilot of flight 6E 2142 had reportedly requested emergency permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) to briefly use Pakistan’s airspace to avoid the approaching turbulence but the request was turned down, sources told PTI on Thursday.
IndiGo pilot sought Pakistan ATC help — was denied
The pilot made the plea while the aircraft was flying over Amritsar, attempting to divert the flight through Pakistani skies to sidestep the violent weather system. However, Lahore ATC declined the request, forcing the flight to stay on its original route where it encountered severe turbulence, PTI said citing sources.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a probe into the incident.
Also Read:Delhi-Srinagar IndiGo Flight Turbulence: Hailstorm-hit flight lands safely, passengers safe; ‘near-death experience’, says TMC leader
The move to deny Indian flights entry into Pakistani airspace comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two countries following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed at least 26 lives. Both nations have since closed their airspace to each other’s airlines.
‘People were screaming, praying, panicking’
Among the passengers was a five-member Trinamool Congress delegation, including MPs Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur. Journalist-turned-politician Sagarika Ghose recalled the terrifying experience after landing safely in Srinagar.
“It was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over. People were screaming, praying and panicking,” Ghose said.
“Hats off to the pilot who brought us through that. When we landed, we saw the nose of the plane had blown up,” she added.
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Social media was soon flooded with videos taken from inside the cabin, showing visibly distressed passengers praying and clinging to their seats as the aircraft shook violently.
In a statement issued on Thursday, IndiGo confirmed that the flight “navigated a sudden hailstorm and landed safely at Srinagar International Airport.”
“All customers were attended to upon landing and no injuries were reported. The aircraft is currently undergoing necessary inspection and maintenance in Srinagar and will resume operations once all clearances have been secured,” the airline added.
