216 passengers who were onboard an Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco found themselves stranded in the Russian town of Magadan after the flight made an emergency landing. The passengers are facing challenges such as limited food, uncertainty, and communication barriers in a foreign place where Air India does not have ground staff to coordinate with.
Difficult Conditions and Language Barriers

The stranded passengers are staying in makeshift accommodations, including schools and other buildings, where they sleep on mattresses on the floor. Coordinating with local authorities is proving difficult due to language barriers. The food available in the area is mostly non-vegetarian, forcing some passengers to survive on bread and soup.
Passenger Testimonies
Passengers describe the situation as challenging, with a significant number of elderly passengers and children among them. Many of their bags are still in the aircraft, and they have been dispersed to different locations via buses. The toilet facilities are inadequate, and there is concern about older people running out of medicine. However, passengers commend the help provided by Russian authorities and express gratitude for being able to connect with their families through recently acquired Wi-Fi.
Air India’s Response
Air India has announced the operation of a ferry flight from Mumbai to Magadan to transport the stranded passengers to San Francisco. The ferry flight is scheduled to depart at 1300 hours IST on June 7, subject to necessary regulatory clearances. Air India is also making efforts to ensure the health, safety, and security of the passengers while they wait for the flight. Food and other essentials will be carried on the ferry flight to support the passengers during the journey.
US Monitoring the Situation
The United States is closely monitoring the situation after the emergency landing of the Air India flight. While the number of American citizens on board is not confirmed, the US State Department is aware that the flight was bound for the United States. Air India has stated that they are sending a replacement aircraft to continue the passengers’ journey, but the details are yet to be provided.
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