Flight makes emergency landing as Haj pilgrim takes ill

The chartered flight of the Saudi Airlines bound for Jeddah, ferrying Haj pilgrims from Bengaluru, had to be diverted to Mumbai for an emergency landing as a senior citizen from Mysuru suffered fatigue and became unconscious on the flight.

Syed Ahmed, 77, a resident of Mandi Mohalla here, had been selected for the Haj pilgrimage, under the 70-plus reserved category along with his wife Malika Banu Ahmed.

On Wednesday, the flight, of the Saudi Airlines, bearing number SV-5950, took off at 9.05 am at Kempegowda International Airport.

Syed Ahmed’s health deteriorated on the flight and he became unconscious. A doctor, who was also on the pilgrimage, tried to treat Syed Ahmed.

Later, the flight crew decided for an emergency landing at Chatrapathi Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai.

The flight landed at Mumbai at 11.30 am. Syed Ahmed was rushed to Holy Spirit Hospital in Mumbai. Again, he was shifted to Saifi Hospital in Mumbai.

He was accompanied by his wife. Following a communication from the Karnataka State Haj Committee, his son also reached Mumbai. The flight, in which Syed Ahmed was travelling, left for Jeddah at 1.30 pm.

R Roshan Baig, Chairman of Karnataka State Haj Committee, has informed that Syed Ahmed was attended to by Dr Nadeem at Holy Spirit Hospital in Mumbai. “Later, he was shifted to Saifi Hospital, where Dr Yunus is attending to him. Ahmed’s wife Malika Banu Ahmed is with him. I have informed the matter to Central Haj Committee Chief Executive Officer Dr Maqsood Ahmed Khan and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Fazal Siddiqui. If the Health of Syed Ahmed improves, he can be sent to Jeddah to perform Haj, in the later flights,” he said.

B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Haj, Wakf and Minorities Welfare, said, he has spoken to the officials of the Central Haj Committee and Saudi Airlines about the health condition of Syed Ahmed.

He said if Syed Ahmed’s health improves, he will be sent on the pilgrimage, along with his wife.

He assured to bear their expenses from his personal funds.