30 suffer nosebleed due to Jet Airways' staff negligence
In an incident that reeks of negligence, some passengers on a Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Jaipur suffered nose and ear bleeding on Thursday morning after the flight crew forgot to switch on the system that maintains cabin pressure. The flight turned back to Mumbai after several passengers were left bleeding. The passengers are currently being treated at the Mumbai airport. Here are the details.
Jet Airways' official statement following the incident
"All guests were deplaned safely and taken to the terminal. First aid was administered to few guests who complained of ear pain, bleeding nose etc. The airline is making alternative flight arrangements for guests. Jet Airways regrets the inconvenience caused," said the airline.
30 out of the flight's 166 passengers were left bleeding
According to the DGCA, after the crew forgot to switch on the cabin pressure maintenance system, oxygen masks dropped out in the cabin during the climb after take-off. Further, 30 out of the flight's 160 passengers suffered nose and ear bleeding, while several others complained of a headache. Subsequently, the flight, 9W697, was turned back to Mumbai.
Watch: Footage from inside the cabin
A passenger recounts his horrific experience
One of the passengers, Satish Nair, took to Twitter to rage over the incident. He said that even after the pressure fall, no announcement to put on oxygen masks was made by the flight crew, neither was any help offered to passengers. Nair said that he had almost blacked out, and claimed he would sue Jet Airways for "involuntary manslaughter".
Passenger Satish Nair describes what passengers went through
The flight crew has been taken off duty pending investigation
Meanwhile, the flight's cockpit crew has been taken off duty for their negligence. Further, decision will be taken post the investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). According to news agency ANI, the flight was scheduled to take off from Mumbai again at 10:15am.