42-year-old man dies onboard Air India flight

The incident has raised questions at the airport checks amid the coronavirus pandemic  

Mumbai: A 42-year-old man died onboard an Air India flight from Lagos to Mumbai.

India Today reported that the passenger was shivering inside the flight and upon inquiry the passenger told that he was suffering from malaria.

The man was provided oxygen as he was finding it difficult to breathe. But he collapsed on board the Air India flight. 

Air India, however, has denied reports stating that the passenger had a fever and said he died of “natural causes”.

“A passenger aboard AI1906 of June 13, 2020, from Lagos to Mumbai passed away due to natural causes today,” said an Air India statement.

“A doctor on board along with our crew, who are trained to handle such medical emergencies, made a valiant attempt to revive the pax, aged 42, who had suddenly collapsed, through resuscitation etc but all their efforts went in vain. He was declared dead on board by the attending doctor,” the statement added.

“Relatives of the deceased were informed and aircraft have taken for full fumigation as per norms,” it added.

However, following the incident, questions were raised regarding airport checks as to how the passenger with fever was allowed to board the flight amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.