In a major relief for Indian passengers, a Gulf Air flight from Mumbai to Manchester finally took off from Kuwait Airport at 4:34 am on Monday after being grounded for nearly 22 hours due to an emergency landing caused by an engine fire. 

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait posted the news on the social media platform X, sharing pictures of the passengers. "Gulf Air flight to Manchester finally departed at 0434 hours today carrying stranded Indian passengers among others. Embassy team was on the ground till the flight departed," the post read.

Around 60 Indian passengers, travelling from Mumbai to Manchester, had been stranded at Kuwait Airport for approximately 22 hours following the emergency landing of their Gulf Air flight. The passengers expressed frustration over a lack of food and assistance during their long wait.

The Indian Embassy intervened to assist the stranded passengers, ensuring that their needs were addressed while coordinating with the airline. Despite the delays and inconveniences, the flight eventually departed, marking the end of the ordeal for passengers.

The Indian embassy in Kuwait said on Sunday in a post on X that they immediately took up the matter with Gulf Air and also clarified the visa rule in Kuwait for Indians.

The ordeal of the passengers started after their flight made an emergency landing following an engine fire incident.

A chaotic video surfaced on social media showing the passengers of Gulf Air arguing with the airport authorities.

The passengers alleged they were harassed and only flyers from the European Union, the UK, and the US were given accommodation by the airline. They alleged bias and harassment against those holding Indian, Pakistani, and other Southeast Asian nation passports.

The Indian embassy in Kuwait in the post on X said a team from the embassy is at the airport to assist the passengers and coordinate with the airline, adding passengers have been accommodated in two airport lounges.

"Efforts are being made to accommodate passengers in the airport hotel which is currently unavailable due to the ongoing GCC Summit. It may be noted that Indian nationals do not fall under visa on arrival facility in Kuwait. All government offices are closed today due to the GCC Summit being hosted by Kuwait," it said.

Passengers said their flight took a U-turn before it landed in Kuwait. They said the announcement of the flight diversion came 20 minutes before landing.

Gulf Air has not given a statement on the matter yet.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on X that the passengers have been accommodated in two airport lounges as of now, as the airport hotel is unavailable due to the ongoing GCC Summit.

"Food and water is available for the stranded passengers at the lounges," it said.

The embassy further said that Gulf Air had informed that the flight for the stranded passengers to Manchester had been scheduled for 3.30 a.m. on Monday.

(with agency inputs)