Afghan Teenager Survives Perilous Flight to Delhi in Wheel Well
An Afghan teenager has survived an incredibly dangerous 94-minute flight from Kabul to New Delhi while hidden inside the wheel well of a commercial aircraft. The 13-year-old boy was discovered wandering around the tarmac at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Sunday morning after the flight landed, bringing a fortunate end to a journey that is fatal for the vast majority of stowaways.
Mistaken Destination, Extreme Danger
According to officials, the boy, a resident of Kunduz, had intended to travel to Iran. Early on Sunday, he managed to bypass security at the Kabul airport and concealed himself within the rear landing gear compartment of a Delhi-bound KAM Air flight. For over an hour and a half, he endured the flight's cruise at altitudes where temperatures can drop to -50 degrees Celsius and oxygen levels are insufficient to sustain consciousness, let alone life.
The survival of stowaways in unpressurised and unheated aircraft sections is exceptionally rare. Medical experts note that most succumb to hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) or hypothermia. There is also the immense risk of being crushed by the retracting landing gear or falling from the compartment when it opens for landing. Data from aviation authorities suggests a mortality rate of approximately 77% for such attempts.
Discovery and Swift Repatriation
Upon the aircraft's arrival at IGI Airport, airport staff noticed the boy, dressed in a white kurta-pyjama, and alerted the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). During a subsequent security inspection of the plane, a small red audio speaker, the boy's only possession, was found in the landing gear area.
After it was determined how he had arrived, the teenager was handed over to immigration officials for questioning. He confirmed his mistaken journey, and authorities acted quickly to arrange his return. By 4 pm the same day, he was placed on a flight and repatriated to Kabul, concluding a harrowing and life-threatening adventure.
Stowaway Incident At A Glance
Incredible Survival: A 13-year-old boy from Afghanistan survived a 94-minute flight to Delhi while hidden in the unpressurised wheel well of an airplane.
Case of Mistaken Identity: The teenager reportedly intended to stow away on a flight to Iran but mistakenly boarded the aircraft bound for India.
Extreme Conditions: He endured freezing temperatures and severe oxygen deprivation at cruising altitude, conditions that are typically fatal.
Rapid Resolution: After being discovered at Delhi's IGI airport, the boy was questioned by authorities and repatriated to Kabul on the same day.
