New Delhi: In a major security breach at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, a British national who arrived from Bangkok allegedly fled the immigration area and escaped into the city, prompting a massive search operation, police said on Friday.

The incident occurred on October 28 when the passenger, identified as Fitz Patrick, a British citizen, arrived in Delhi from Bangkok, they said.

Patrick was scheduled to be deported to the United Kingdom via Thailand, but managed to evade authorities after landing in Delhi. He allegedly escaped from the immigration area and left the airport premises before being formally processed, police said.

"A security lapse was reported at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport after a British national, who was to be deported to the UK via Thailand, escaped from the immigration area and entered the city. Delhi Police and security agencies have launched a search operation and filed an FIR while questioning airline staff," a senior police officer said.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), responsible for airport security, along with the Bureau of Immigration and Delhi Police, has launched a coordinated effort to locate the fugitive.

Airport CCTV footage is being scanned to determine the sequence of events and identify possible lapses that led to the escape, officials said.

A case has been registered under relevant sections at the local police station, and teams have been deployed to search for possible hideouts and exit points in the National Capital Region (NCR), they said.

Further details regarding the passenger's motive, background, and current whereabouts are being verified, the officer added. PTI