Rajkot: An IndiGo flight from Dubai to Mumbai made an emergency landing at Hirasar airport in Rajkot on Monday after smoke was detected in the aircraft’s cargo hold.According to airport authorities, Flight IGO1452, operated by an Airbus A321 aircraft, was diverted to Rajkot as a precautionary measure after smoke was detected in the cargo hold area.All 194 passengers and the crew disembarked safely.“Flight IGO1452, aircraft type A321, operating from Dubai to Mumbai, was diverted to Rajkot due to smoke detected in the cargo hold area,” an airport official said.Rajkot airport was informed about the emergency at 2.45pm, following which a full emergency was declared. The aircraft landed safely at 3.27 pm.In accordance with emergency response protocols, the airport deployed fire tenders, ambulances, rescue vehicles and medical teams. Local hospitals and the police were also alerted.Talking to media persons, Rajkot district collector Om Prakash said, “On getting information about the emergency landing, we alerted all the government hospitals, medical colleges, private hospitals. All the doctors and nursing staff were put on alert. We arranged deployment of 70 ambulances near airport.”“Arrangements were made for all 194 passengers in the arrival hall of the international terminal,” Rajkot Airport Director Diganta Borah said. “Passengers will not be permitted to leave the terminal building unless there is a medical emergency. We have been told that Indigo has arranged another aircraft coming from Mumbai to transport these passengers to their destination,” he added.Although Rajkot airport has an international terminal, regular international flight operations have not yet commenced. However immigration and customs clearance facility is available on call.Earlier in the day, IndiGo issued a statement saying the inspection of the aircraft was underway and an alternate aircraft was being arranged to complete the journey.
