Guwahati: An air ambulance bound for Kolkata from Tripura’s Agartala had to divert to Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, after its door reportedly opened mid-flight.
The aircraft, carrying a patient in critical condition and six other people, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The incident took place during Durga Puja, interrupting the planned transfer of a patient between the two Indian cities. The aircraft reached Dhaka, where the emergency landing was completed safely.
The patient, Anjana Bhowmik, was travelling to Kolkata to seek treatment. After the aircraft landed, she was moved to Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka for further medical care.
Preliminary details identified the people travelling with Bhowmik as Firoz Khan, paramedic Azim Khan, Santa Bhowmik and Deep Jyoti Mishra. SKB Infracon Private Limited operated the air ambulance.
Captain Punya Anup was in command of the flight, with Captain Tanuj Sharma serving as co-pilot. The pilots reportedly took the aircraft to Dhaka after the door malfunction was discovered.
Bhowmik was declared dead after being taken to Kurmitola General Hospital in Dhaka.
The other people on board, including Bhowmik’s companions, the medical personnel and the two pilots, were reported safe after the landing.