Baby dies following Qatar Airways flight to India
Young child travelling with parents, develops breathing problems
Dubai: A baby has died following a Qatar Airways flight that was bound for India on Wednesday.
The 11-month-old who was travelling with his parents from Doha to Hyderabad had suffered breathing problems.
The young child was rushed to Apollo Medical Centre shortly after the plane landed in India. However, the passenger was declared dead on arrival, according to Mail Online.
A spokesperson for the airline told Gulf News that the airline was aware of the "sad news" and that its "heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are with the affected family."
It is not clear, however, where the child died. While Qatar Airways said the baby died at Hyderabad airport, a spokesperson for the passenger terminal said it was not the case.
According to an AFP report, the parents became aware that their child was having breathing problems after the plane landed and were on their way to the immigration counter.
“We’re awaiting for investigation to conclude and for official reports from both Qatar Airways and Apollo hospitals on the baby’s death,” Sangeetha C R was quoted as saying.
When pressed for more details, the airline’s spokesperson clarified there was no medical emergency declared on board the flight.
“The passengers disembarked at which point the family approached ground handling staff at Hyderabad International Airport to report that their infant was unwell,” the spokesperson told Gulf News.
The child was holding a US passport, while the father is an Indian national.
The airline reported this month a $69 million loss for the financial year ending March 31, citing a regional political dispute that has seen it banned from four Arab states.