Mumbai-Bound Virgin Atlantic Flight Stranded in Turkey After Emergency Landing

Over 200 passengers face prolonged delays and limited facilities at Diyarbakir Airport, with Indian authorities stepping in to assist.

Virgin Atlantic flight VS 358 from London to Mumbai made an emergency landing at Diyarbakir Airport in Turkey due to a passenger's panic attack.
The airport's limited infrastructure left over 200 passengers stranded for more than 16 hours in a semi-empty terminal with inadequate facilities.
Passengers reported poor communication from Virgin Atlantic, with no clear updates on alternate travel arrangements.
Indian authorities, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, have intervened to provide support and appointed a nodal officer to manage the situation.
The incident highlights challenges in airline emergency response and the preparedness of smaller airports to handle international flights.